About Us
Center for Creativity at Hotel Sequoia, 800 Main Street (at Broadway), Redwood City
The Center for Ceativity in San Mateo County is a grassroots effort by passionate people who believe in the power of art.
In 2010 we formed ARTS RWC—a roundtable of artists, art advocates, art organizations and civic leaders with a mission to advance Redwood City as a vibrant and sustainable arts community. We identified the need for a permanent arts center that provides access for all to the arts in our city and county.
In 2022, we established a formal Steering Committee to conduct research, develop plans, and rally support for a permanent Center for Creativity.
The steering committee includes members of ARTS RWC, the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, Art Bias, the Redwood City Arts Commission and civic leaders.
We’re always seeking the help of dedicated volunteers to bring our mission to reality. If you’re interested in learning more about our committee members and the work we do, please contact us.
CENTER FOR CREATIVITY STEERING COMMITTEE
Stacey Ardelean
Founding Artistic Director of Fuse Theatre
Jill Asher
Co-Founder of Magical Bridge Foundation
Ian Bain
Former Redwood City Mayor and artist
Sheila Cepero
VP of Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation
Tara de la Garza
Artist, Curator and Creative Director of Inventurous
Terra Fuller
Executive Director of Art Bias
Dani Gasparini
Former Redwood City Mayor, a downtown property owner
Elizabeth Góme
Redwood City community artist
Sandra Keely
Redwood City Arts Commissioner
Lucy Larson
Director of Education, Palo Alto Art Center
Kent Manske
Artist and cultural worker
Beth Mostovoy
Artist and Founder of ARTS RWC
Jason Newblanc
Redwood City Arts Commissioner
Susie Peyton
Former board member of Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation
Barbara Pierce
Former Redwood City Mayor and former board member of Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation
VC Tang
Author, interdisciplinary artist and culture bearer
SUPPORTERS OF OUR VISION
Organizations, Groups, Businesses
Art Bias
Art in Action
Art Kiosk
ART on the Square
Bay Area Photographers Collective
BraveMaker
Casa Circulo Cultural
Chamber San Mateo County
Culture Collective NFO / Cultural
Collectivo de NFO (CCNFO)
Dragon Productions
Fung Collaboratives
Fuse Theatre
Kainos
Linden Street Warehouse Artist Studios
Magical Bridge Foundation
North Fair Oaks Community Alliance
Peninsula Hills Women’s Club
Project 275
Redwood City Arts Commission
Redwood City Boys & Girls Club
Redwood City Education Foundation
Redwood City Elementary School District
Redwood City Girl Scouts Service Unit 392
Redwood City Improvement Association (RCIA)
Redwood City Library Foundation
Redwood City PAL
Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation
Redwood City Woman’s Club
Silicon Valley Open Studios
Silicon Valley Visual Arts
The Kastrop Group Architects
The Uccelli Foundation
University Art
Elected Officials
Janet Borgens
former Redwood City Council member
Brent Britschgi
former Mayor of Redwood City
Dick Claire
former Mayor of Redwood City
Roseanne Foust
former Mayor of Redwood City
Jeff Ira
former Mayor of Redwood City
Georgi La Berge
former Mayor of Redwood City
Alisa MacAvoy
Board President, Redwood City School District
Shelly Masur
former Vice Mayor of Redwood City
Hilary Paulson
former Redwood City School Board Member
John Seybert
former Mayor of Redwood City
Warren Slocum
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 4
Community Leaders
Rafael Avendaño
former board member Sequoia Health Care District
Barbara Britschgi
former Redwood City Civic Cultural Commissioner
Karen Chew
former San Mateo Arts Commissioner
Warren Dale
former Redwood City Civic Cultural Commissioner
Dee Eva
Historic Resources Committee Emeritus
Jason Galisatus
former Executive Director of the Redwood City Education Foundation
Jeanne Heise
San Mateo County Arts Commissioner, District 4
Lisa Hicks-Dumanske
Redwood City Library Association
Lorianna Kastrop
Redwood City Port Commissioner
Barbara Neumann
Redwood City Library Foundation
Carla Sillin
Redwood City Library Foundation
Edward Sweeney
former San Mateo County Arts Commissioner, District 4
Hugo Torres
Siena Youth Center of the St. Francis Center, Director of Programs
Individuals
Cindy Abbott
Ayln Beals
President of Beals Martin
Marina Brodskaya
Marcela Del Alcazar
Marcela’s Village Gallery
Rich Eva
Community member
Jonathan Fearn
Greystar
Julie Fellers
Art Advocate
John Fong
Kenson Ventures
Catherine Fraser
Sequoia Gem and Mineral Society
Gary Johnson
Acclaim Companies
Karen Kienzle
Mary Kay Mitchell
Chalk Granny
Mark Murray
Lane Partners
Paul Naas
Professor of Digital Art and Animation, Cañada College
Jerry Pierce
Community volunteer
Mitch Postel
Karen Routt
Hummingbird Impact Advisors
Jeanne Schreiber
Sky View Creative
Stacey Wagner
Jennifer Williams
Avalon College Advising
Nanette Wylde
PreNeo Press
Timeline
2025
April
Began promoting our public launch and May events at Hotel Sequoia on Saturday, May 3
press release
fact sheet
sample images from the inaugural exhibition for download
April
Hosted Sip & Paint and Sip & Stitch Fundraiser events throughout the month
Hosted Arts Partner meetings with our Community Partners
2024
December
Announced and launched fundraising campaign for our temporary, proof-of-concept space at Hotel Sequoia in downtown Redwood City with donations being accepted on our How to help page. PRESS RELEASE 12.2.24
Designed and distributed our Support the Center for Creativity Brochure.
June
Center for Creativity Webinar for Civic Leaders took place on Wednesday, June 12th, 6pm–7pm. We shared our vision, the results of the recently completed feasibility study, discussed the next steps to bring permanent art centers to San Mateo County, answered questions, and brainstormed ideas together. Zoom recorded presentation
April
Community Meeting #2 took place Thursday, April 24, 6–8pm at the Community Activities Center in Redwood City. The event was also hosted on Zoom. The event shared findings from surveys and the feasibility study, discussed next steps, and gathered community feedback. Opening Presentation
March
Community Meeting #1 took place Saturday, March 23, 10am–12pm at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center in Redwood City. The event was also hosted on Zoom. The event shared findings from surveys and the feasibility study, discussed next steps, and gathered community feedback. Opening Presentation
February
Presented the feasibility study results to San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy, Supervisor Noelia Corzo, Supervisor Warren Slocum, Chief Legislative Aid Connie Juarez-Diroll, Chief Equity Officer Shireen Malekafzali, Executive Director Office of Arts and Culture Aimee Shapiro and County Staff on February 12 on the County campus.
January
Presented the feasibility study results to the Redwood City City Council on January 21 in Council Chambers at City Hall.
Scheduled Center for Creativity public presentations for Saturday, March 23, 10am–12pm, Veteran’s Memorial Senior Center, and Wednesday, April 24, 6pm–8pm at Redwood City Community Activities Building
2023
December
We are actively scheduling Feasibility Study presentations for January 2024.
November
Began presenting feasibility study results to potential stakeholder including civic leaders, government leaders, developers, philanthropists, local non-profit organizations, and the public.
September
AMS Planning & Research presents final feasibility study report to the Center for Creativity Steering Committee.
July
Contracted with Casa Circulo Cultural to be our fiscal sponsor.
2022
August
Began and completed fundraising to cover the $70,000 cost of the feasibility study.
Advanced plans for an Arts Center feasibility study to include recommendations for an operating structure.
July
Hired AMS Planning + to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.
March
Began discussions with developers regarding an arts center as a community benefit.
February
Redwood City Council voted to include an Arts Center as a Community Benefit as part of the Central Redwood City Plan.
January
Formed the Center for Creativity Steering Committee.
Met with the City Manager and Assistant City Manager to discuss how the future Arts Center could be considered a community asset and benefit for development projects.
Meet with City Council members to garner their support to recommend adding an Arts Center to the list of developer community benefits
2021
November
Survey results delivered to the City Council and city staff.
Consulted with city staff about recommended next steps. Discussed multiple paths forward and were strongly encouraged to reach out to developers currently proposing projects within Redwood City.
Incoming Mayor Hale and Vice Mayor Reddy strongly and enthusiastically encouraged our engagement with developers.
Survey polled over 2300 residents of Redwood City and the surrounding communities. Very positive results.
Website created and launched.
March – November
Supporters of our vision were gathered including organizations, groups, businesses, elected officials, and community leaders.
2020–2021
December- February
Meetings with City Council members and the City Manager to discuss how the future Arts Center mission could dovetail with the city priorities. Met with enthusiasm and positive feedback, we were tasked with exploring options, garnering more supporters and surveying the community for feedback.
2020
February
Vision for a permanent arts center presented to the Redwood City Arts Commission. Received unanimous support.
2010–2019
2019
Redwood City Economic Development Manager, strongly encouraged ARTS RWC to pursue the idea of a permanent arts center in Redwood City.
2018
ARTS RWC formed a subcommittee to plan and research establishing a permanent arts center. Work of the subcommittee was reported and discussed at monthly ARTS RWC meetings.
The Public Art Master Vision Plan passed.
2016
Percent for Art Ordinance passed.
2012
Discussions about a permanent arts center in Redwood City begin.
2010
ARTS RWC formed as a roundtable of artists, arts advocates, arts organizations and civic leaders.