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Arts and Culture Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda Page 1 of 2 June 10, 2025 | 6:30 PM
CITY OF GILROY
ARTS AND CULTURE
COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 | 6:30 PM
CITY CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
7351 ROSANNA STREET, GILROY, CA 95020
Chair: Melanie Reynission Vice Chair: Ruben Dario Villa
Commissioners: Camille McCormack, Adilene Moreno, Steven Porter, Steven Taylor &
Wendy Zamora
Staff Liaisons: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City
Administrator
Kylie Katsuyoshi, Management Analyst
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will make reasonable
arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. If you need special assistance to
participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to
the meeting at (408) 846-0204 or cityclerk@cityofgilroy.org to help ensure that
reasonable arrangements can be made.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the City of Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission
after distribution of the agenda packet are available with the agenda packet on the City website
at www.cityofgilroy.org subject to the Staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE GILROY OPEN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE
Government's duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the
public. Commissions, task forces, councils and other agencies of the City exist to
conduct the people's business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are
conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people's review.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE OPEN GOVERNMENT
ORDINANCE, TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF THE ORDINANCE OR TO REPORT A
VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT THE OPEN GOVERNMENT
COMMISSION STAFF AT (408) 846-0204.
PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES:
During the PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA portion of the meeting,
each person wishing to speak should prepare a presentation of not more than three (3)
minutes. Persons wishing to address the Commission are requested, but not required, to
complete a Speaker’s Card located at the entrances. Completion of this speaker’s card is
voluntary. All persons may attend this meeting and speak, regardless if a card is completed
or not. Speaker’s slips should be submitted to the Secretary BEFORE this portion of the
meeting begins. Anyone wishing to address the Commission on any other item on this
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Arts and Culture Commission
Regular Meeting Agenda Page 2 of 2 June 10, 2025 | 6:30 PM
AGENDA is requested, but not required, to fill out a speaker’s slip as well and submit it to the
Secretary BEFORE the Commission takes action on the item.
The agenda for this regular meeting is as follows:
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. SECRETARY'S REPORT
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1. Approval of the Minutes from the May 13, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Arts
and Culture Commission
6. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1. Mural Request at the Gilroy Center for the Arts
7.2. Mural Request at the Las Animas Park Handball Courts
7.3. Public Art Request at the Downtown Paseo
8. OLD BUSINESS
8.1. Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Work Plan
9. GILROY ART-RELATED COMMUNITY EVENT UPDATES
10. COMMISSION COMMENTS
11. STAFF COMMENTS
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
13. ADJOURNMENT
FUTURE MEETING DATES
August 12, 2025 - Gilroy City Council Chambers - 6:30 PM
September 9, 2025 - Gilroy City Council Chambers - 6:30 PM
October 14, 2025 - Gilroy City Council Chambers - 6:30 PM
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May 13, 2025 | 6:30 PM Page 1 of 2 Arts and Culture Commission
Minutes
City of Gilroy
Arts and Culture Commission
CITY OF GILROY
ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 6:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:38 PM.
2. ROLL CALL
Attendance Attendee Name
Present Commissioner Melanie Reynisson
Commissioner Ruben Dario Villa
Commissioner Camille McCormack
Commissioner Steven Taylor
Absent Commissioner Adilene Moreno
Commissioner Steven Porter
Commissioner Wendy Zamora
3. SECRETARY'S REPORT
Staff Liaison Atkins reported that the agenda was posted on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at
11:25 AM.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion
Approve
RESULT:Passed
MOVER:Commissioner Melanie Reynisson
SECONDER:Commissioner Camille McCormack
AYES:Commissioner Melanie Reynisson, Commissioner Ruben Dario Villa,
Commissioner Camille McCormack, Commissioner Steven Taylor
5. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
6. OLD BUSINESS
1. Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Work Plan
This item was heard after Item 7.1.
Discussion was held on the work plan items. No actions were taken.
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May 13, 2025 | 6:30 PM Page 2 of 2 Arts and Culture Commission
Minutes
7. NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation of the Preferred Option for the Civic Center Master Plan Update
This item was heard after Section 5, Public Comment.
Gilroy Project Manager Ryan Osenton presented to the Commission the consultant-
identified preferred option for the conceptual design of the Civic Center Master Plan.
Discussion was held regarding the potential facilities and programming.
8. GILROY ART-RELATED COMMUNITY EVENT UPDATES
The commissioners discussed upcoming arts-related events happening in the community.
9. COMMISSION COMMENTS
None.
10. STAFF COMMENTS
None.
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEM REQUESTS
The Commission discussed Item to discuss a recommendation to include public art in the
Civic Center Master Plan Update from the start, to include money for public art in the cost
projection.
12. ADJOURNMENT
With no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 PM.
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City of Gilroy
Arts and Culture
Commission
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Mural Request at the Gilroy Center for the Arts
Meeting Date: June 10, 2025
From: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
Department: Administration
Submitted by:
Prepared by: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
RECOMMENDATION
Commission provide feedback and recommendation to Council regarding the proposed
mural.
BACKGROUND
The City has received a request from the Arts Alliance to add a mural to the back wall of
the Gilroy Center for the Arts. Pursuant to the Public Art Policy, the Arts and Culture
Commission is to review and render a recommendation regarding the acceptability of
the design.
ANALYSIS
Attached to this staff report is the conceptual design proposed by the Arts Alliance.
They received a request from Eric B. Vasquez, self-identifying as an educator and
visual artist. According to the request, he is planning to paint the mural, along with his
students from the South County Annex. The mural he would like to paint would be on
the back wall (facing the city parking lot) of the Gilroy Center for the Arts building. He
has experience painting murals. The Gilroy Arts Alliance board voted to approve the
mural on the back wall. However, the facility is owned by the City and the Arts Alliance
leases the building.
The mural, if approved, will be painted at no cost to the City.
ALTERNATIVES
The Commission may provide its recommendations to the Council. Alternatively, the
Commission may choose not to issue a recommendation. However, this is not
recommended as the purpose of the Commission is to render recommendations
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regarding public art.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
None. The proposal seeks to use outside funds for the project.
Attachments:
1. Gilroy Art Center - Mural proposal 04.30.25
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City of Gilroy
Arts and Culture
Commission
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Mural Request at the Las Animas Park Handball Courts
Meeting Date: June 10, 2025
From: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
Department: Administration
Submitted by:
Prepared by:
RECOMMENDATION
The Commission issue a recommendation regarding this mural request.
BACKGROUND
The City received a request to paint a mural on the handball courts at Las Animas Park.
The proposal document is attached.
ANALYSIS
Since the project would be public art, the design must be reviewed and a
recommendation issued by the Arts and Culture Commission. In addition to the proposal
document, the artist has provided the proposed design, which is also attached to this
staff report. Once the Commission renders its recommendation, the project would then
be considered by the Parks and Recreation Commission since the project would be in a
City park.
ALTERNATIVES
None. The Commission is charged with providing a recommendation regarding public
art requests as part of its role in the City Charter.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
None. The Commission is providing a recommendation regarding the public art request,
and is not approving a project or program.
Attachments:
1. Las_Animas_Mural_Proposal_Gilroy_Final
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2. LAS ANIMAS FULL
3. LAS ANIMAS LEFT FACE
4. LAS ANIMAS CENTER FACE
5. LAS ANIMAS RIGHT FACE
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Las Ánimas Veterans Park: Handball Courts
“Las Animas Que Inspiran/ The Souls that Inspire”
Project Overview
“Las Ánimas – “Las Ánimas Que Inspiran” is a proposed mural project for the exterior of the
handball courts at Las Animas Veterans Park in Gilroy, CA. The mural will span 900 square
feet (10 ft high by 90 ft wide) and wrap around three exterior walls, integrating the
agricultural, cultural, and historical legacy of Gilroy with a vibrant, welcoming design for all
community members.
Cultural and Historical Context
The name 'Las Ánimas' translates to 'The Souls,' referencing both the ancestral memory of
the land and the enduring spirit of the community. The park sits on land once part of
Rancho Las Ánimas, a Spanish land grant given in 1803. This land has been shaped by
Ohlone people, Spanish settlers, Mexican landowners, and diverse immigrant workers. This
mural aims to honor that lineage while encouraging unity and pride in Gilroy’s shared
cultural identity.
Artistic Vision
The mural will be divided into three thematically linked panels:
1. The Land We Share – showcasing agriculture and diverse laborers working the fertile
valley.
2. Hands That Built – featuring generational hands planting a seed, surrounded by Gilroy
landmarks.
3. Roots of Love & Culture – filled with native flora, textiles, and a family scene to represent
unity.
The design balances subtle cultural nods with imagery that resonates across all of Gilroy’s
demographics, including Chicano, Filipino, Portuguese, Italian, and other communities.
Team and Scope
The project will be executed by a skilled team:
- 3 Lead Artists
- 3 Assistant Artists
The team will handle design, community input, execution, and final sealing of the mural..
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Budget
Category Amount
Lead Artists (3 @ $5,000)$15,000
Assistant Artists (3 @ $2,500)$7,500
Materials & Supplies $2,000
Admin & Coordination $1,500
Documentarian $2,000
Mural Design Hours (20hrs @ $100/hr)$2,000
Total Budget: $30,000
Conclusion
“Las Ánimas Que Inspiran” is more than a mural, it’s a landmark of memory, identity, and
pride. It honors the invisible stories that shaped Gilroy and gives all residents a shared
symbol of where they come from and where they’re going. We respectfully request the
City’s support in realizing this vision for and with the Gilroy community.
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City of Gilroy
Arts and Culture
Commission
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Public Art Request at the Downtown Paseo
Meeting Date: June 10, 2025
From: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
Department: Administration
Submitted by:
Prepared by: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
RECOMMENDATION
The Commission issue a recommendation regarding the proposed public art request.
BACKGROUND
The City of Gilroy received a request from Art Builds Community, a public art consulting
firm based in San Jose. Their team has been hired by the Santa Clara County Office of
Women's Policy to manage the Womanhood Project. The Womanhood Project is a
multi-year initiative that utilizes artwork created by local artists to celebrate the
significant contributions women have made to Santa Clara County. For more
information about the project, please visit their
website: https://womanhoodproject.org/about/.
Over the last year and a half, Art Builds Community has collaborated with four artists
and one artist team to celebrate 20 different women who have made significant
contributions to the County. One of the women being celebrated is Ascencion
Solorsano, as depicted by local artist Kathy Aoki. The artwork is an augmented reality
piece that is experienced through a marker. Attached a draft copy of the proposed
marker. Please note that this is a draft, and the requestor has stated that a few areas
need further attention. The QR code is not present, the womanhood logo will be clearer,
and the instructions on the left will be moved to the top of the marker, making it an
easier experience for the user. The image and text will remain the same.
The requestor has been communicating with Susan at the Gilroy Museum and a distant
relative to Ascencion about the possibility of the marker being located in Gilroy.
ANALYSIS
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The requestor was very impressed with the historical signage in the paseo and would
like to place the marker on a post to the left of the sign in the attached picture of the
paseo. Attached to this staff report is additional presentation material about the
proposed plaque, location, and image.
ALTERNATIVES
None. The review of proposed public art and rendering of a recommendation is a listed
function of the Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
None. The Commission's recommendation is not approval of a project, since that would
still have to be approved by the City Council or City staff. There is no cost associated
with the issuance of the recommendation.
Attachments:
1. Gilroy Womanhood AR 2025 - Installation Deck
2. WomanhoodAR2025-24x15_AscensionSolarsano
3. Location Image
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Make sure your ringer is
on & volume is up.You will find the audio text and related information.
Scan
Scan the QR code with your
smartphone or tablet to
download the Kinfolk App.1.Open the app & select
the “Scan a marker”
on the top left.2.Point your camera at the
illustration of the woman
in the sign in front of you.3.The AR will automatically load & become
viewable on your device. Tap anywhere on
the animation to view more information.4.Click the refresh button (top left) and
tap the “Scan” icon to scan the next
image marker as you explore other
points of Journey Through Womanhood.
5.
Tip: Frame your camera around the
pink focus marks & get close enough
for the illustration to fill your screen.
Experience the Augmented Reality (AR) Animation
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Journey through Womanhood is a series of immersive and
temporary public art monuments that explore the untold stories
of women who have made significant contributions to the
County of Santa Clara.
Kathy
AokiARTIST
2024
In Honor Of:
Ascension Solarsano
Medicine Woman who Helped to Preserve
the Mutsun Language
1855 – 1930 | Gilroy, CA
Learn more about this honored woman:WomanhoodProject.Org Scan the QR Code to
access content through
a screen reader
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City of Gilroy
Arts and Culture
Commission
STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item Title: Fiscal Year 2026 and 2027 Work Plan
Meeting Date: June 10, 2025
From: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
Department: Administration
Submitted by:
Prepared by: Bryce Atkins, Assistant to the City Administrator
RECOMMENDATION
Commissioners and sub-committees update the Commission on plans and progress of
workplan items.
BACKGROUND
At the February 11, 2025 regular meeting of the Arts and Culture Commission
(Commission), the Commission adopted a work plan for FY26 and FY27. At their
regular meeting on March 11, 2025, the Commission further refined the work plan and
appointed committees. The work plan is attached to this staff report.
ANALYSIS
This will be an ongoing agenda item to discuss the work plan items, and to receive
updates from any commissioner or committee.
ALTERNATIVES
None.
FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE
None.
Attachments:
1. Arts and Culture Commission Workplan - FY26 and FY27
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2026 and 2027 Arts and Culture Commission Work Plan
Project Name Work Lead
Commissioner
Sub-Committee
Members
City Council
Priority Status
For the Love of Gilroy
Event
Continue the successful pilot program into
an annual event each year.
Reynisson, Villa, Porter N/A
Multicultural Community
Days
Explore hosting an event series featuring
arts and culture presentations and displays
of various cultures in the community,
consisting of up to two events per fiscal
year as a pilot program.
Zamora, Reynisson, Taylor Neighborhood
Equity
Fundraising Gala Explore the opportunity to host a
fundraising gala, aiming at one event
during the workplan period.
Taylor, Reynisson,
McCormack
Financial Resilience
Update the Arts and
Culture Strategic Plan
Update the strategic plan to identify
strategies and goals for Gilroy's arts and
culture into the future.
Villa, Zamora, Porter Neighborhood
Equity
Public Art Resource
Document
Explore the viability of creating a public art
resource document for future
development, in conjunction with the
Community Development Department.
N/A Neighborhood
Equity
Updated April 9, 2025
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