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 by supporting the artistic and cultural activities of the creative talents 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 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, and Theater.
There is no fee to enter the Center for the Arts, and parking is free.
“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 by supporting the artistic and cultural activities of the creative talents 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 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, and Theater.
There is no fee to enter the Center for the Arts, and parking is free.
“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 challenging 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, and many of her creations are held in private collections in Spain, Italy, France, Germany and in the United States.
Marianna Frantzich
- Marianna is a professional artist with a diverse background and a wealth of experiences in the creative industry. Her journey began at the Academy of Art University, where she pursued her passion of the arts while residing in Japan for an enriching four-year period. During her time at the academy, Mariana focused on Fashion Design and honed her skills, eventually graduating with a prestigious Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
- Sharon Albert
Secretary
Sharon is a retired educator and former two term council person on the Gilroy City Council. She is one of the founding members of the Gilroy Foundation. She continues to serve the Foundation as a grant reader and writer. She was President and board member of the Theater Angles (the group that became GAA) and she continues to serve on the Gilroy Arts Alliance Board. For the past 15 years Sharon has co-produced the Art Center's Dia del los Muertos offrendas.
Louise Shields
Nominating Committee, Producer, and Curator
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 that will celebrate 10 years in February '24.
Nominating Committee, Producer, and Curator
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 that will celebrate 10 years in February '24.
Vangie Moniz
Public Relations and Social Media Production
Vangie Montgomery-Moniz has always loved to draw with chalk and pencil since she was 12 years old. She pursued her love of art by attending Chabot College with an emphasis on Graphic Arts and Photography. Overseeing a national Advertising Department for a local retail store, Vangie has over 25 years of experience in marketing with a love of digital creations.
Public Relations and Social Media Production
Vangie Montgomery-Moniz has always loved to draw with chalk and pencil since she was 12 years old. She pursued her love of art by attending Chabot College with an emphasis on Graphic Arts and Photography. Overseeing a national Advertising Department for a local retail store, Vangie has over 25 years of experience in marketing with a love of digital creations.
Welcome our Newest Board Member: Robert Butler
Robert is a graduate of National University, San Jose, CA and Knoxville College in Tennessee, and he received his Music Degree from Chicago State University. Robert has recorded and made several television appearances, as well as, organizing an Annual Thanksgiving Concert that provides funds for the needy.
Robert is the Drama Teacher at the Gilroy Center for the Arts for children and young adults.
Robert is a graduate of National University, San Jose, CA and Knoxville College in Tennessee, and he received his Music Degree from Chicago State University. Robert has recorded and made several television appearances, as well as, organizing an Annual Thanksgiving Concert that provides funds for the needy.
Robert is the Drama Teacher at the Gilroy Center for the Arts for children and young adults.
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 Center that became GAA before the current building at 7th and Monterey became Gilroy Center for the Arts and has been a volunteer ever since.
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 Center that became GAA before the current building at 7th and Monterey became Gilroy Center for the Arts and has been a volunteer ever since.
