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Cultural & Heritage 2026/03/19MINUTES CULTURAL AND HERITAGE COMMISSION DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER, ROTARY ROOM, 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805 March 19, 2026 — 6:30 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT STAFF PRESENT Erika Nguyen, Chair Anaheim Sporn, Deputy Director Karen Uyematsu, Vice Chair Jane Newell, Heritage Services Manager Richard Romeros Nikki Sandusky, Community Services Superintendent Saul Contreras Art Varela, Community Services Supervisor COMMISSIONERS ABSENT Samantha Bell Harris David Zuniga AGENDA ACTION TAKEN 1) CALL TO ORDER: Chair Nguyen called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Roll was taken; quorum confirmed. 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Heritage Services Manager, Jane Newell. 3) UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None. 4) SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None. 5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Chair Nguyen presented and motioned to approve the minutes from the February 19, 2026, meeting. Commissioner Contreras seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved. Chair Nguyen formally accepted the minutes from February 19, 2026. 6) NEW BUSINESS: a) Deputy Director, Anaheim Sporn shared that the City will be participating in the America 250 City Art Poster Contest from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The City has a link on its website to advertise this opportunity, including guidelines and requirements. The Commission would participate in the selection process. As part of this, a subcommittee will need to be established for the selection process. Commissioner Romeros shared that he would like to participate in the contest and will excuse himself from being on the sub -committee. Chair Nguyen, Vice Chair Uyematsu, and Commissioner Contreras volunteered to serve on the sub -committee. 7) SUB -COMMITTEES: a) Center Gallery: Community Services Supervisor Art Varela updated the Commission on the current exhibit featuring Hyejung Shin through April 2. Hyejung has a school in Tustin, and many of her students attended the reception on February 26cn The next show will be the Anaheim Union High School District Color and Light Student Exhibition, on display for four weeks at Center Gallery beginning April 20. The exhibit will also have space in Center Greens. b) Heritage: Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell gave an update that she is working on the display for the Heritage Center about receiving the Carnegie Grant, as previously discussed at the last Cultural & Heritage meeting. They are also working on some fun things for the school tours and the July 11th event celebrating America 250. Cultural & Heritage Commission March 19, 2026 Page 2 c) Poet Laureate: Community Services Superintendent Nikki Sandusky reminded the commission that Camille Hernandez will be introduced at the April 21 City Council Meeting as the 2026-2028 Poet Laureate. 8) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Deputy Director Sporn shared that an Anaheim America 250 group has been established, spearheaded by Muzeo. As part of this initiative, Muzeo's website hosts a community calendar, and an Instagram page has been created. Residents and local organizations are encouraged to share activities and events related to America 250 in Anaheim. Heritage Services Manager Jane Newell shared information about an upcoming event taking place this Saturday at the Ebell Club of Anaheim in honor of E. Kate Rea's 150th birthday. Rea served on the Library Board from 1903 through 1945. She also reminded the group about the upcoming May Day event at Founder's Park, which will feature games and activities, including a Maypole dance Community Services Supervisor Art Varela shared the Spring edition of the Community Services Guide. Deputy Director Anaheim Sporn highlighted some of the events listed in the guide, such as the Children's Festival coming up in May, Cinco de Mayo, and noted the Arts & Culture events listed on page 40. Deputy Director Anaheim Sporn shared that the mural at Center Greens on the Downtown Anaheim Youth Center and City Hall parking structure is now complete. She encouraged all to stop by and view. Commissioner Romeros noted that a new mural in Little Arabia has been completed on Brookhurst Street. He also inquired and volunteered to set up a booth at the Children's Festival and asked if other Commissioners were interested in joining him. Deputy Director Anaheim Sporn recommended gathering more information and having further discussion about the Commission represented at different events. The Heritage Services Manager, Jane Newell, shared that the West Anaheim Show Off event is taking place at Maxwell Park on April 25th. She will have a booth co -representing the Historical Society and the Heritage Center. Chair Nguyen shared that Chance Theater's play The Messenger will be previewed on March 27. 9) ADJOURNMENT: Chair Nguyen adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.