Rooted in Partnerships

This article is part of our “Play On! – Celebrating New Leaders in Arts & Culture” series of five articles featuring interviews with new executive and managing directors at the helm of beloved arts organizations in Santa Cruz County. All the featured organizations are recipients of 2024 Community Grants. Read the full series.

Header photo: Miriam Anton, Executive Director of Pajaro Valley Arts in front of the piece entitled “Love” by Victor Cervantes, which hangs in the Porter Building gallery.

When Miriam Anton rolled up as the new Executive Director at Pajaro Valley Arts (PVA) earlier this spring, the “More than Cars: Celebrating Lowrider Culture” exhibit was in full swing, and she knew she had landed in the perfect place. A collaboration between PVA and the Watsonville Film Festival, the exhibit was developed in partnership with local community members and five Watsonville-based car clubs. It featured more than 50 artists and Watsonville residents in painting, photography, mixed media, ceramics, and sculpture.

Programming Rooted in Community

An art historian with a background in fundraising in both the arts and corporate sectors, Miriam is thrilled by the passion the community has for the organization. She says, “The history of PVA is incredible. I’m hearing stories from people who have been involved for a long time and so much excitement from newer folks who are just getting started. The common thread is that everyone is super committed to delivering high-quality work and thought-provoking programming that is rooted in community.”

The More than Cars exhibit was showcased in PVA’s recently acquired space, the historic Porter Building on the corner of Main and Maple Streets, in downtown Watsonville. Miriam thinks the lowrider show really cemented PVA in their new location. “The show opened us up to a new audience and folks in the community realized, ‘oh my gosh, there’s actually people in this building!’”

But the Porter Building needs significant renovations. In connection with PVA’s 40^th anniversary, Miriam and her team are launching a capital campaign to help the Porter Building reach its full potential for a large gallery and ample studio, performing arts, and classroom space, which are desperately needed by Watsonville’s deeply vibrant and active arts community.

Arts Education, Energy & Ideas

In addition to the fundraising effort, Miriam and her team—with operational support from their recent community grant—will continue to drive their arts education initiatives and innovative and inclusive programming. This will all be back at their original location—the beautiful and iconic yellow Victorian next door to the Watsonville YMCA. In the coming year, PVA will be working closely with street muralists, Watsonville’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and Pajaro Valley Pride on exhibits and programs.

Miriam says the energy and ideas of her staff, Board, and volunteers fuel her. “Everyone is excited and recognizes that PVA needs to move forward and propel itself into the 21^st century.” She feels that right now, a big piece of her job is listening, making connections, and getting everyone’s ideas out in the open. “We are making lots and lots of lists of community partners we want to work with, and there is so much fertile dialogue happening between long-time volunteers, new staff, and community members who are wanting to get more involved.”