Local Voices
Protect Our Culture, Protect Our Art!
From local theater productions to neighborhood galleries, our creators need strong leadership that values their hard work.

Our hometown is home to thousands of creative businesses that employ many of our residents. That creative horsepower is exactly what makes Santa Monica so unique. Cultivating this culture is a huge priority for me. From local theater productions to neighborhood galleries, our creators need strong leadership that values their hard work. That's why it is so distressing to learn that the legendary Bergamot Station Arts Complex will close to make way for 700 affordable housing units. Don't get me wrong. I'm all for true affordable housing for our valuable city employees, teachers, seniors, and families; however, destroying our Arts culture without providing a replacement facility in advance will harm our international image as a city of culture. What's more, the theatre, art galleries, restaurants, and associated businesses will be forced to leave the city. That's no way to treat small businesses that have devoted decades to enhancing our city's culture.
My love for artistic expression started when I was just a kid growing up in these exact neighborhoods. My first starring role was in a Recreation & Arts production at Miles Playhouse when I was 12. I'll always push for initiatives that highlight our city as a premier destination for unforgettable experiences.
We have built something beautiful together, and we have the power to elevate our creative scene even higher. Let's not destroy it! 
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