The holiday season is all about the arts. Concerts, caroling,
ballet, theater, art shows, boutiques and decorations abound.
Perhaps you would like to become more involved. If so, you might
consider applying for a position on the City of Gilroy Arts and
Culture Commission. The commission meets the second Tuesday of
every month at 5:30 p.m. Four year Commission terms begin in
January and applications are available at City Hall or at
www.ci.gilroy.ca.us.
The holiday season is all about the arts. Concerts, caroling, ballet, theater, art shows, boutiques and decorations abound. Perhaps you would like to become more involved. If so, you might consider applying for a position on the City of Gilroy Arts and Culture Commission. The commission meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. Four year Commission terms begin in January and applications are available at City Hall or at www.ci.gilroy.ca.us.
The current commission is a diverse group of Gilroy residents who have a passion for the arts.
n Carol Peters, commission chair, is an educator and artist who has lived in Gilroy all her life. Peters taught painting and drawing at Gilroy High School for 30 years as well as graduate student art classes at Santa Clara University. She produces and hosts “Carol on Creativity,” which airs on GavTV, Channel 18. She designed the first Garlic Festival ticket and has donated many works to the community, including the cougar painting for Christopher High School.
n Carol F. Harris, co-chair of the commission, is an educator, musician, actor and artist. Originally from New York, she relocated to California in 1983 and jumped into the art scene, performing and directing with South Valley Civic Theatre. Carol has shared her love for music by teaching children for more than 50 years and also volunteers to accompany the Gilroy High School choirs.
n Kevin Heath has been involved in the arts since childhood. A Gilroy resident since 2000 and current president of the Gilroy Arts Alliance, Heath is passionate about helping Gilroy’s downtown flourish. The owner of Limelight Actors Theater, Heath hopes “live theater downtown will be a domino effect, bringing new businesses, restaurants and more to make our downtown a destination for every resident of the city.”
n Bruce Morasca has lived in Gilroy for 35 years. He is a member of Saint Mary Parish, The Knights of Columbus, past president of Theater Angels Art League, past member of the City of Gilroy Public Art Committee, past member of Sons of Italy and has served on the South Valley Symphony Board of Directors for nine years. He strives to help the arts grow in Gilroy.
n L. Mattock Scariot has been a Gilroy resident most of her life. She and her husband Nils own a film production business where they make films, commercials, cooking shows, testimonials and infomercials. Art has always been a part of her life and she would like to see Gilroy become an art destination. “I believe that art plays an important part in rebuilding economic vitality for a city.”
n Shirley Willard has been a commissioner since 2005 and has chaired the Public Art Committee since 2006. A longtime resident of Gilroy, Willard serves as a California-Nevada District Exchange Club area director and a Gilroy director. “Art elevates us. Being surrounded by something beautiful makes us want to come up to the mark and to be the best we can be. This I envision for Gilroy.”
n Diana Young was drawn to serving on the commission to give back to the Community. A credentialed teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, with a degree in art therapy and counseling, Young can’t remember when she wasn’t making art. She is impressed with how Gilroy has been managed while other towns are floundering under extreme financial burdens. “Gilroy, with its sense of history and volunteerism is not only surviving but thriving.”
