In 2022, as I was wrapping up my laureateship, I proposed a county pilot program to celebrate the work of youth poets and artists. Between July 2023 and June 2024, I directed the San Mateo County Youth Cultural Ambassadors pilot program that was officially launched by the San Mateo County Office of Arts and Culture to foster a love of arts as a vehicle for self-expression, build community through arts and culture, and highlight the role of arts and culture in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and other public discourse. Seven youth ambassadors, ALEX CARREON (visual arts); AMELIA CHEN (dance); CLAIRE SONNENBURG (visual arts); DANIEL STREBULAEV (music); KEIYA WADA (music); LAUREN LIN (poetry); MIKAELA GEORGE (music), were appointed, and successfully curated and organized community events in partnership with Burlingame Public Library, Filoli, Foster City Library, Menlo-Atherton Center for Performing Arts, Redwood City Public Library, and San Mateo Public Library.
OUR SHARED STORIES ART SHOW AND RECEPTION
January 20, 2024
2:00pm – 4:00 pm
Foster City Library
1000 E Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City
This project created by Youth Cultural Ambassador Alex Carreon, features artwork from Jose Angel Bahena Sanchez, Alex Carreon, Dony Aguilar, Kyra Chen, Tamar Dayagi, Valerie Lin, Agnes Qiu, Jocelyn Zhu, and Julie Stock’s art students from San Mateo High School.
Dive into the world of “Our Shared Stories: A Multicultural Art Showcase” which provides a captivating platform for individuals of all cultures to express their unique narratives through art. Join us in spotlighting the diverse stories of talented artists from across San Mateo County as they showcase their creativity and cultural pride. We cannot wait to celebrate the rich and varied experiences that make our community truly special.
This event is in partnership with Foster City Library and Friends of the Foster City Library.
DANCING ACROSS THE WORLD
January 28, 2024
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Filoli Historic House & Garden
Ballroom
86 Cañada Rd, Woodside
Please save the date for “Stories in Bloom: Dancing Across the World,” a spring dance cultural performance curated by Amelia Chen, San Mateo County Youth Cultural Ambassador.
This event is in partnership with Filoli Historic House & Garden.
KID MAKERS: PAINTING BANQUET
March 2, 2024
2:00pm – 3:00 pm
Redwood City Downtown Library
Makerspace
1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City
What happens when you combine art, science, and food? Join us for “Kid Makers: Painting Banquet,” a special event hosted by Claire Sonnenburg, San Mateo County Youth Cultural Ambassador to experience the power of art and food to bridge cultural divides. Students will create a masterpiece that harmoniously blends the realms of art, science, and gastronomy employing the vibrant hues of natural pigments to illuminate the rich tapestry of diverse cultures.
This event is in partnership with the Redwood City Public Library and Friends of the Redwood City Public Library.
Read the post-event write-up in the Redwood City Newsletter.
YOUTH IN HARMONY: A CONCERT FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH
April 12, 2024
6:00 pm – 7:00pm
San Mateo Public Library
Oak Room
55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo
Please save the date for “Youth in Harmony,” a concert curated by San Mateo Youth Cultural Ambassadors Mikaela George and Keiya Wada to raise awareness of youth mental health.
This event is in partnership with the San Mateo Public Library.
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
April 27, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:30pm
Burlingame Public Library
Reading Room
480 Primrose Road, Burlingame
Hosted by San Mateo County Youth Poetry Ambassador Lauren Lin, the National Poetry Month Community Celebration will feature poets from the 2023/2024 Community Poetry Open Mic Series and the Bridges of Wellness Intergenerational Poetry Workshop. Experience the vibrant spirit of our local community of poets! Refreshments provided by Dragonfly Community Arts.
This event is in partnership with the Burlingame Public Library Foundation.
YOUTH MUSICIAN COMPETITION
June 11, 2024
Doors open at 5:00 pm
Menlo Atherton Center for Performing Arts, 555 Middlefield Rd., Atherton
Join us for an unforgettable evening dedicated to the musical brilliance of young classical musicians from San Mateo County! The Youth Musician Competition concert is curated by San Mateo County Youth Cultural Ambassador Daniel Strebulaev in celebration of youth excellence in the performing arts.
This event is in partnership with the Gooddler Foundation.
Aileen Cassinetto 