Arts & Culture Fest 2025: Unifying Students & Staff in an Immersive Experience!

The Arts & Culture Festival 2025 was a success, thanks to the dedication, creativity, and hard work of the entire team. Every detail—from planning to execution—was handled with care and consideration for the student experience, resulting in a creative, artful day that was enjoyed by all who attended. Churros and popcorn were served from the De Anza courtyard, adding a fan favorite while sprinkling a little sugar and spice onto the festivities.

Musical genres ranging from Latin to Rap, Pop/Soul, and Rock & Roll were showcased through performances by retiree Eric Zobel, staff members Gloria Carreno Romero, Danny Dionicio, and Sadelle Sewalt, as well as an impromptu performance by a student resident of the Manzanita Village Apartments. 

Sidewalk pioneers Ken Thomson, representing Campus Dining, Elle Carrigan from the Arbor, and  Jared Martinez, Paul Kouns, and Michael Adami from Residential Operations, were joined by student residents and staff members who let their creativity flow from the chalk to the pavement!

The Loma Pelona Center was the gathering place for artists who donned aprons to paint the ‘Summer Mural’ while sipping Lemonade, finding inspiration and company among their colleagues.

Here are a few comments from our Paint & Lemonade workshop survey hosted by the Painted Cabernet, Santa Barbara team:

“Had such a fun time! Looking forward to going again next year!”

“Thank you for this great event, it was also very relaxing.”

“Great event and awesome facilitators - great pacing and great instruction.”

The Arts & Culture festival is a celebration of the creative arts and would not be possible without the support of AVC Willie Brown, who has championed and supported HDAE Arts & Culture since its start as a workgroup in 2015/16. Additionally, the Arts & Culture committee members have generously given their time and expertise as HDAE stewards, and their contributions are a direct result of their institutional experience, guidance, and agility in an ever-changing space. The success of the Arts & Culture festival is just one example of how we can accomplish things together for the greater good of our staff and student community.

Special thanks to the Arts & Culture Committee: Kirsten Brinlee, Sara Engebrits, Kristi Kirkpatrick, Nestor Covarrubias, Arlene Contreras, Lauren Weiner, Gary Scott, Eriko MacDonald, Marisol Gomez, Michael Adami, Carol Hirashima (chair); and for all who shared their time and talent with us during this event.

Please contact Carol Hirashima at chirashima@ucsb.edu if you would like to serve in the 2025/26 year.