Agata Popęda here. The Champions of the Arts awards and fundraising breakfast took place this morning, April 17 at the Monterey Marriott in downtown Monterey to recognize five leaders in the county’s art scene. The Arts Council for Monterey County, the organizer and the main Monterey County art hub, served the event Hawaiian-style.
Education and changing lives in the community were a recurring motif in the remarks given this morning.
“We believe that creativity belongs in every neighborhood,” said Christopher Long, chair of the Arts Council board. “It belongs to every classroom and every state.”
The Carl Cherry Center for the Arts in Carmel was acknowledged for remaining a symbol of the bohemian times when Carmel was still a place an artist could afford.
“We're looking for the next kid with a sketchbook, the next poet with a secret,” said the Cherry’s longtime executive director, Robert Reese, about the plan for “the next 78 years of glorious creative noise.”
Festival La Guelaguetza from Salinas was also honored, a “living testament” to Oaxacan heritage, featuring Indigenous culture, folklore and LGBTQ+ representation from Oaxaca. Born from the wave of Oaxacan families who made California home, the event has grown into a treasured expression of identity and shared memory.
Visual arts teacher HollyAnn Isaac was recognized as a life-changing force at John Gutierrez Middle School in Salinas. “An investment in the arts is an investment in student confidence,” she said upon receiving the award.
Truly multidisciplinary artist Hanif Panni, whose name and artistic name—Hanif Wondir—has been popping up all over the county, is another Champion of the Arts. Panni gave us 26 murals all over the county, and he has been delighting communities as a DJ. On May 29, he will open for GZA in the Golden State Theatre.
Drama teacher, actor and one of the key people behind theatrical performances in King City, Jamie Jones, was named one of the art champions. “Jamie is a freaking rock star,” Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez said about his talented district resident. Jones added, “Arts are not extra, they’re essential.”
Philanthropist Roberta “Bertie” Bialeck Elliott received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her gifts to various arts organizations that allow them to thrive.
Since April is National Poetry Month, Monterey County Poet Laureate Marie Butcher and Monterey County Youth Poet Laureate Mya Pop showed up with their poems—the first presented poetry both in English and Spanish. The 16-year-old Pop stole the show with her charm and idealism. In one of her poems, she called out the adults to take responsibility for their children’s shortcomings and followed up with her own political pledge of allegiance.
On April 7, Monterey County Board of Supervisors recognized April 2026 as Arts, Culture, & Creativity Month in Monterey County, and as today’s event showed, we are a community of creatives.