Our Mission
“To build a collaborative arts community to promote and support multicultural arts in and around Gilroy”
The Gilroy Arts Alliance (GAA) is the nonprofit organization that operates the Gilroy Center for the Arts. We advocate on behalf of the arts in Gilroy and the surrounding areas and support the artistic and cultural activities of the creative talent in our community.
The Gilroy Center for the Arts strives to promote unity and inclusiveness by creating cultural Exhibits, such as Black History Month that inspire, educate, engage and foster a strong community through the arts, and with a deep commitment to honor, respect and celebrate diversity and freedom of expression.
We collaborate with Gilroy Downtown Business Association (GDBA) on several community-based events such as the annual Gilroy Art and Wine Stroll and Beer Crawl.
GAA publicizes local art events and builds awareness of arts-related policies and issues with email newsletters to a database of local art supporters. We actively raise funds to provide financial support to a variety of visual and performing arts groups, artists’ scholarships, and arts education in the schools.
The Gilroy Arts Alliance/Center for the Arts is located in downtown Gilroy on the corner of Monterey Street and 7th Street. Visitors to Gilroy, the Gilroy Outlet Mall, Gilroy Gardens, Wine Trail, and other venues, are invited to stop by the Center for the Arts to view wonderful exhibits and get information on Art Classes for children and adults, Music events, Theater, or Movie nights.
There is no fee to enter the Center for the Arts.
“A Center for creative minds of all ages”
“To build a collaborative arts community to promote and support multicultural arts in and around Gilroy”
The Gilroy Arts Alliance (GAA) is the nonprofit organization that operates the Gilroy Center for the Arts. We advocate on behalf of the arts in Gilroy and the surrounding areas and support the artistic and cultural activities of the creative talent in our community.
The Gilroy Center for the Arts strives to promote unity and inclusiveness by creating cultural Exhibits, such as Black History Month that inspire, educate, engage and foster a strong community through the arts, and with a deep commitment to honor, respect and celebrate diversity and freedom of expression.
We collaborate with Gilroy Downtown Business Association (GDBA) on several community-based events such as the annual Gilroy Art and Wine Stroll and Beer Crawl.
GAA publicizes local art events and builds awareness of arts-related policies and issues with email newsletters to a database of local art supporters. We actively raise funds to provide financial support to a variety of visual and performing arts groups, artists’ scholarships, and arts education in the schools.
The Gilroy Arts Alliance/Center for the Arts is located in downtown Gilroy on the corner of Monterey Street and 7th Street. Visitors to Gilroy, the Gilroy Outlet Mall, Gilroy Gardens, Wine Trail, and other venues, are invited to stop by the Center for the Arts to view wonderful exhibits and get information on Art Classes for children and adults, Music events, Theater, or Movie nights.
There is no fee to enter the Center for the Arts.
“A Center for creative minds of all ages”
Meet our Board Members
Marianne Eichenbaum
President
Marianne never aspired to be an artist, but discovered her artistic abilities during a difficult time in her life. It brought her peace and solace, and she continued from thereon with her artistic endeavors. During her college years she studied business administration/psychology.
She is now an internationally recognized, award winning artist. Her work was featured in several important Art publications.
Many of her creations are held in private collections in Spain, Italy, France, Germany and in the US.
President
Marianne never aspired to be an artist, but discovered her artistic abilities during a difficult time in her life. It brought her peace and solace, and she continued from thereon with her artistic endeavors. During her college years she studied business administration/psychology.
She is now an internationally recognized, award winning artist. Her work was featured in several important Art publications.
Many of her creations are held in private collections in Spain, Italy, France, Germany and in the US.
Scott Downs
Vice President
Scott is a retire art educator living in Gilroy. His work is diverse in both the subject matters and the mediums he uses which include conte, pen, ink, intaglio etching, linoleum print, oil, acrylic and watercolor. His subject matter are equally eclectic as it explores many social activities and commentaries.
Scott is currently serving as President of the Valle Del Sur Art Guild and Vice President of the Gilroy Arts Alliance/Center for the Arts.
Vice President
Scott is a retire art educator living in Gilroy. His work is diverse in both the subject matters and the mediums he uses which include conte, pen, ink, intaglio etching, linoleum print, oil, acrylic and watercolor. His subject matter are equally eclectic as it explores many social activities and commentaries.
Scott is currently serving as President of the Valle Del Sur Art Guild and Vice President of the Gilroy Arts Alliance/Center for the Arts.
Sharon Albert
Secretary
Sharon is a retired educator and former two term councilperson on the Gilroy City Council. She is one of the founding members of the Gilroy Foundation. She continues to serve the Foundation as a grants reader. She was the President and board member of the Theater Angels (the group that became GAA) and she continues to serve on the Gilroy Arts Alliance Board.
For the past 14 years Sharon has co-produced the Art Center's Dia del los Muertos offrendas.
Secretary
Sharon is a retired educator and former two term councilperson on the Gilroy City Council. She is one of the founding members of the Gilroy Foundation. She continues to serve the Foundation as a grants reader. She was the President and board member of the Theater Angels (the group that became GAA) and she continues to serve on the Gilroy Arts Alliance Board.
For the past 14 years Sharon has co-produced the Art Center's Dia del los Muertos offrendas.
Louise Shields
Nominating Committee
Louise is a self-taught artist who puts her heart and soul into her artistic creations. She has been an active Board Member of the Gilroy Arts Alliance/Center for the Arts for several years. She has also been the producer of the Annual Black History Month Cultural Exhibit for the past 8 years.
Nominating Committee
Louise is a self-taught artist who puts her heart and soul into her artistic creations. She has been an active Board Member of the Gilroy Arts Alliance/Center for the Arts for several years. She has also been the producer of the Annual Black History Month Cultural Exhibit for the past 8 years.
Vangie Moniz
Public Relations
Vangie Montgomery-Moniz, also know as Evangeline-by-Design, has always loved to draw with Chalk and pencil since she was 12 years old. Vangie pursued her love of art by attending Chabot College with and emphasis on Graphic Arts and Photography.
Public Relations
Vangie Montgomery-Moniz, also know as Evangeline-by-Design, has always loved to draw with Chalk and pencil since she was 12 years old. Vangie pursued her love of art by attending Chabot College with and emphasis on Graphic Arts and Photography.
Jackie Butkivich
Jackie is a retired special needs teacher.
She has been a long-time Board Member with the Gilroy Arts Alliance/Gilroy Center for the Arts.
Although she is not an artist, she enjoys being involved and
supporting the Arts.
Her major in College was Biology, and she also earned her Special-Needs and Teaching credentials.
Jackie is a retired special needs teacher.
She has been a long-time Board Member with the Gilroy Arts Alliance/Gilroy Center for the Arts.
Although she is not an artist, she enjoys being involved and
supporting the Arts.
Her major in College was Biology, and she also earned her Special-Needs and Teaching credentials.
Beth Dewey
Bookkeeper
Beth Dewey has been a Gilroy resident since 1998. She has a BA Degree from Sonoma State University, and has held various positions in secretarial, admin, general accounting, teacher's aide and substitute teaching in her lifetime.
She joined the group that became GAA before the current building at 7th and Monterey became Gilroy Center for the Arts, and has been a volunteer ever since.
