With support from the California Arts Council, Fres.Co will grow existing programming, including monthly art exhibitions, a Mercado series, and various artmaking workshops by and for communities of color in the Central Valley. Most importantly pathways funding would also improve our sustainability by supporting the development of a solid monthly donor base as well as supporting our professional development as we apply to more philanthropic funding and work toward becoming a 501(c)(3).
We will offer a range of community programming that celebrates and transforms the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of our communities. Our most significant work has included three programming pieces:
1) Art shows and artist talks featuring local and California-based artists that often include talks and/or workshops. These artists have shared diverse narratives about incarceration, immigration, body image, queer and trans identities, and many other experiences that reflect our daily realities in the Central Valley.
2) Workshops and skill sharing series providing a range of artmaking practices and community resources. Our most recent program called creArte is a free monthly artmaking workshop for families.
3) Bi-monthly Mercado supporting people of color artisans and artists with a public marketplace to sell their work. These creative economies foster sustainability with the arts and create opportunities for intentional community connections.