June 26, 2025

Dear Arts Lover:

As PRIDE 2025 comes to a close, the Amador County Arts Council (Amador Arts) reaffirms our commitment to doing what’s right: serving historically disinvested communities.

To our knowledge, there is a single openly-queer executive living in and serving the communities of Amador County, and it is yours truly.

I moved to Amador County as a young closeted queer artist of six years. Immediately, I encountered a local culture of people who ruthlessly weighed in on how I “should” be: toned down, always smiling, less hairy, more feminine, and less into boy stuff.

Nearly forty years later, I am still the recipient of ongoing “advice” from locals who claim to respect me and love the arts council work, but who are compelled to communicate that “the gay thing” is a problem. My tenure with the Amador Arts includes an underbelly of ongoing anti-queer rhetoric and microaggressions from strangers, donors, role models (formerly), volunteers, businesses, and leaders.

In 2025, the frequency of these encounters is on the rise.

Although some local leaders have warned us against supporting and uplifting Black and Trans artists, we know that the loudest voices are never those of the historically disinvested.

Amador Arts is unwavering in our commitment to serving historically disinvested people.

The Amador County Arts Council is committed to keeping our work authentic and transparent. In doing so, part of our queer joy is inviting you into conversation about this growth and evolution within our local community. 2025 hails a dramatic increase in PRIDE events within Amador County businesses and community centers—it’s wonderful! Meanwhile, local queer and BIPOC youth and young adults continue to face othering regularly. One must pause and consider: Amador County has the highest rate of Self-Harm in California. Our visibility and JOY are more critical than ever before.

Please join me, the Board of Directors, Advisory Committee, and Amador Arts volunteers in uplifting and advancing our often forgotten and erased communities, not just in one special month or for one group, but every day and for everyone in need. Our steps are our voice. Together, we are a choir building the creative cohesion we crave.

There are tons of ways to be involved. Click here to explore our website and let us know how you want to be part of our vision. Join Amador Arts as we fertilize a cohesive community where arts, culture, and creative freedom exude throughout every thread of this collective tapestry we call home.

Thank you for all you do to make our community a place where all people can freely express themselves!

In community,

MOJO

(they/them)

Executive Director • Interdisciplinary Artist

(209) 256-8166 (call/text)

info@amadorarts.org