Aziel Sandman, an Argonaut High School student who is a digital artist and character designer, received the Safe Space grant to support their work with the local 2SLGBTQAI+ community. Their project consists of a suite of original anti-bullying characters promoting togetherness and supportiveness. These characters and their messages will be shared throughout local social media platforms.

Deja Douglas, a media artist and college Junior at Sacramento State University, received the Roots grant to further her work celebrating Amador County’s rich cultural heritage, including Black and Mexican rural creatives such as herself. She will be creating a permanent digital storyplace for youth and young adults to document rural lives and celebrate interculturality throughout Amador’s non-homogeneous cultures, especially rural Black and Indigenous Youth along with all cultural heritages.

Miwok elder Richard “Razzle Dazzle” Ragudo received both the Indigenous Arts and Culture Grant and the Youth Arts Grant to support his work with the local Miwok community and diverse lives, cultures, and heritages of local youth. Razzle Dazzle is a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok and will work with local Miwok Youth to create and restore tribal regalia supporting greater youth engagement in traditional activities and gatherings.