{"id":203,"date":"2016-12-30T23:02:09","date_gmt":"2016-12-30T23:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/?page_id=203"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:50:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T22:50:44","slug":"who-we-are","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/who-we-are\/","title":{"rendered":"QUIENES SOMOS"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Personal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Miriam-Anon-headshot-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10650 size-full lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Miriam-Anon-headshot-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10650 size-full lazyload\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"miriam@pvarts.org\">Miriam Anton<\/a> <br>Executive Director<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Miriam has extensive&nbsp;experience&nbsp;in business development, fundraising, marketing, and DEIB initiatives, and the arts. Prior to joining PVA, Miriam worked at AnitaB.org, collaborating with corporate partners to improve representation&nbsp;for female, non-binary and BIPOC technologists in the workforce. Miriam&#8217;s longtime passion is in the arts, which led to earning her BA and MA in art history, interning at the Guggenheim, and later, working in sales and marketing for art galleries in San Francisco. Miriam is thrilled to take on the role of Executive Director for Pajaro Valley Arts. She joins the organization at a&nbsp;pivotal&nbsp;turning point as it&nbsp;launches its capital&nbsp;campaign to renovate its&nbsp;new&nbsp;home at the&nbsp;heart of historic Watsonville. She looks forward to leveraging PVA&#8217;s vibrant 40-year history and deep community ties to envision a new landmark destination for the arts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Miriam enjoys spending free time with her family outdoors, visiting the local beaches and redwood forests. She also spends an absurd amount of time posting pictures of her cat and dog on their shared Instagram account.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element\" style=\"grid-template-columns:29% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-684x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8309 size-thumbnail lazyload\" style=\"object-position:59% 31%\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"684\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-684x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8309 size-thumbnail lazyload\" style=\"object-position:59% 31%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-684x1024.jpg 684w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-320x480.jpg 320w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-768x1150.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-1026x1536.jpg 1026w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-8x12.jpg 8w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209-600x899.jpg 600w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/PVA-Headshot-Brianna-Flores-e1681334924209.jpg 1085w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 684px) 100vw, 684px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"mailto:brianna@pvarts.org\">Brianna Flores<\/a> <br>Office Manager<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Originally from Watsonville, Brianna has always had a passion for the cultural arts and community service. After attending Watsonville High, she moved to San Francisco where she graduated from the ever vibrant San Francisco State University with degrees in Humanities and Latina\/o Studies. While volunteering at a cultural arts center throughout college, the arts as a means of bringing the community together became a core value in her life\u2019s purpose. As if life were coming full circle, her love and appreciation for the community that raised her led her back to the Pajaro Valley and to a job opening at the local art gallery. Rediscovering this place made Watsonville feel like home again. \u201cI am a firm believer in the significant impact the arts can have on a person and the community at large. I\u2019ve seen the potential the arts have to bridge and unify the communities I\u2019ve lived in and I see the potential in ours now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hedwig-715x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3101 size-thumbnail lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"715\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hedwig-715x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3101 size-thumbnail lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hedwig-715x1024.jpg 715w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hedwig-335x480.jpg 335w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hedwig-768x1100.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Hedwig.jpg 917w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 715px) 100vw, 715px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"mailto:hedwig@pvarts.org\">Hedwig M. Heerschop<\/a> <br>Exhibit Coordinator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dutch-American Hedwig M. Heerschop is a photographer, printmaker, educator, and curator who lives and works in Santa Cruz, California. She completed her Master of Fine Arts\/Photography at San Jos\u00e9 State University, San Jos\u00e9, California. She taught <em>Alternative Processes in Photographic Media<\/em> at San Jos\u00e9 State University. She assisted in many photography workshops with Brian Taylor, Dan Estabrook, Holly Roberts, Dan Burkholder, Harold Davis and Steve Zmak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hedwig curated two national exhibits for Pajaro Valley Arts, <em>Photo Alchemy, Alternative Processes in Photographic Media,<\/em> and produced two accompanying catalogs. For the last several years she is the curator of Pajaro Valley Arts&#8217; annual exhibit, <em><strong>Sculpture IS: In the Garden <\/strong><\/em>at Sierra Azul Nursery &amp; Gardens. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in solo and group exhibitions, including, <em>For Queen &amp; Country,<\/em> at San Jos\u00e9 State University, San Jos\u00e9, CA (her Master Thesis Exhibit), <em>Breaking Boundaries,<\/em> in Pingyao, China and <em>Made in Holland,<\/em> in Naarden, The Netherlands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of her works are in the collection of art collectors in Europe and the Unites States of America. Currently Hedwig divides her time working as Exhibit Coordinator at Pajaro Valley Arts in Watsonville, CA., and as a printmaker\/photographer at her studios in Aptos and Santa Cruz, CA.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-top\" style=\"grid-template-columns:30% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10487 size-thumbnail lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10487 size-thumbnail lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-360x480.jpg 360w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Picsart_23-09-19_20-26-34-367-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"mailto:josefina@pvarts.org\">Josefina Rocha<\/a> <br>Program Coordinator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Josefina Rocha, a graduate in Fine Arts Practice from California State University, East Bay, is a compassionate artist who grew up in Watsonville, California. Her artistic endeavors delve into themes of vulnerability, wonder, empathy, and kindness, underscoring their intricate interconnectedness. As an avid arts advocate, Josefina has left her mark on the community by contributing to local murals, showcasing paintings in galleries, curating exhibitions, hosting painting workshops, and participating in Santa Cruz County&#8217;s Open Studios. Beyond her community involvement, Josefina also uses her art practice to explore her Chicana identity through spiritual means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to her role as an artist, Josefina serves as a Teaching Artist, actively promoting culturally responsive visual arts and supporting social-emotional development in after-school programs throughout the County. She extends her influence by mentoring high school student teachers, creating a secure environment for the community to explore their creative potential and understand that the path to being an artist is open to anyone. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:27% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260616_142637_235-e1782340546584.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17128 size-full lazyload\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"518\" height=\"778\" src=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260616_142637_235-e1782340546584.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17128 size-full lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260616_142637_235-e1782340546584.jpg 518w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260616_142637_235-e1782340546584-320x480.jpg 320w, https:\/\/pvarts.org\/dev\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260616_142637_235-e1782340546584-8x12.jpg 8w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 518px) 100vw, 518px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"mailto:irwin@pvarts.org\" data-type=\"mailto\" data-id=\"mailto:irwin@pvarts.org\">Irwin Pineda<\/a> <br>Membership Services &amp; Operations Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Irwin Pineda (they\/them) is a Watsonville native, Mexican-American artist with a background in printmaking, painting, drawing, and digital art. Graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Studio Arts and Anthropology, Irwin\u2019s work focuses most on explorations of humanity: the human figure\u2013 its beauties and horrors, gender &amp; sexuality, emotion, spirituality, and culture. When words have failed them, Irwin has used art as a tool to translate the abstractions of their thoughts and feelings into narrative or surreal pieces to help communicate with the world. They regard art as one of the most powerful forces for change in the world and work hard to make art accessible to those in communities who have limited resources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aligning their actions with their values, Irwin has worked as a teaching artist with children throughout the PVUSD school district to kickstart their artistic journeys and demonstrate that \u201ctalent is a pursued interest.\u201d They have also shared their art with the community by participating in solo and group exhibitions throughout Santa Cruz County, such as UCSC Open Studios, Sesnon Underground\u2019s Fruitcake Magazine exhibition, and the Watsonville Wine, Beer, and Art Festival.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:51px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Junta Directiva <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lynne Karst &#8211; President<br>Aurelio Gonzalez &#8211; Vice President <br>Lou Falek &#8211; Treasurer <br>Victor Kimura &#8211; Assistant Treasurer<br>Nessa Ledesma &#8211; Secretary<br>Christine Cavanaugh<br>Casey Clark<br>Chuy Hernandez<br>Ross Johnston<br>Judy Stabile<br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exhibitions Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roberta Valdez <br>William Huffman <br>Wendy Aikin<br>Joan Blackmer <br>Jane Gregorius <br>Mary Neater <br>Nestor Ruelas<br>Jim Turner<br>Judy Stabile <br>Melissa West<br>Chad Williams <br>Teresa Zolar<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Staff Miriam Anton Executive Director Miriam has extensive&nbsp;experience&nbsp;in business development, fundraising, marketing, and DEIB initiatives, and the arts. Prior to joining PVA, Miriam worked at AnitaB.org, collaborating with corporate partners to improve representation&nbsp;for female, non-binary and BIPOC technologists in the workforce. Miriam&#8217;s longtime passion is in the arts, which led to earning her BA and&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/who-we-are\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">QUIENES SOMOS<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4065,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"content-type":"","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","neve_meta_reading_time":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-203","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/203\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pvarts.org\/es_es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}