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July 25, 2025 <br /> To Whom It May Concern: <br /> My name is Dino Perez, and I am a Santa Ana-based artist and gallery owner inside the Santora Building. <br /> I am a former City of Santa Ana grant recipient, and amongst my most recognizable public installations <br /> is my 2015 work Everything is Beautiful, a painted utility box located at 4th & Bush in Downtown Santa <br /> Ana. I am also a former Artist-in-Residence at Grand Central Art Center. <br /> I've been a long-time ArtWalk participant. Since The Frida took the reins, Logan and his team have <br /> consistently demonstrated a commitment not only to keep the event going, but to look for ways to <br /> support local artists and their projects. In early 2024 The Frida got a grant from the California Arts <br /> Council, and from those funds they provided me with over $6,000 to produce a four-month art series in <br /> the basement of the Santora Building called DITCH PARTY SPRING & SUMMER ART EXHIBITIONS AT THE <br /> SANTORA.This support allowed me to create something truly special, with each Ditch Party bringing <br /> in over 500 guests and a rotating crew of artists contributing installations, merch tables, a pop-up <br /> photo studio, DJs, and other immersive experiences.The grant even helped us invest in much-needed <br /> sound and display equipment to continue building out the space as a creative hub. Working with The <br /> Frida on this project, it was clear that their vision for ArtWalk mirrored my own with Ditch Party -- not <br /> just to simply "show art," but to provide emerging and underrepresented artists a space to take risks, <br /> collaborate, and connect with community. <br /> It's been refreshing to see ArtWalk produced by a team led by creativity and inclusivity, and exciting to <br /> see it grow. I strongly encourage the City to continue to invest in what The Frida is building.Thank you <br /> for your time. <br /> k�� <br /> Dino Perez <br />