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Orozco, Norma From: Yenny Bernal <upliftingsoulart@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, May 24, 2021 2:05 PM To: eComment Subject: Santa Ana City Council Special Meeting - Public Comment Dear Mayor Sarmiento and Council Members, My name is Yenny Bernal and most of you I have had the honor of meeting in person, so you have seen and know about my commitment to the Santa Ana Arts community. I came to Santa Ana's Santora Arts building as an amateur artist and member of OCFA to showcase my art at Avantgarden Gallery in 2009. As my involvement with the local artists grew, I eventually become co -director of the gallery and hosted many nights of Artwalks before being offered a few years later the opportunity of becoming the event coordinator for DTI's monthly DTSA Artwalks on the 2" Street Promenade, hosting very successful event programming for the last 7 years. In 2013 I also began teaching art to children and seniors, and have collaborated with organizations like SA Farmers Market, OCCTAC Engage 360 after school program (20154oday), Bowers Museum, Arts OC, Chapman University, MainPlace Mall, and now own a small business in educational art events called Uplifting Soul Art Events (EST. 2015). The reason why I want to share my achievements as a migrant local artist that came to the Artists Village with nothing more than 'Puras ganas de luchar por un mejor futuro" is because I personally know of the many talented creatives that live in our city and are currently in desperate need of work opportunity and professional growth. If I could do it, why shouldn't our aspiring artists have that opportunity too? By continuing to develop an arts economy we will continue to lead the Arts and Culture World of Orange County. Imagine if 50% of our creatives could also start their own business here? this is possible with your funding and support as we expand the arts programming in our city. I am more than grateful to see that our Arts and Culture Commission will have a seat at your table to raise the questions and concerns that have been plaguing us for some years now as we see more and more galleries close, and fewer and fewer actual artists in the Artist Village. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Equity >Division Best Wishes, Yenny Bernal Uplifting Soul Art Events 949/545-1666 "Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe." Oprah Winfrey