21/09/2025
🎨 Friday night (9/19), the Arts Council for Long Beach hosted the 2025 State of the Arts awards, at the Marina Pacifica Boardwalk, recognizing artists, cultural leaders, and organizations whose creativity and leadership continue to shape Long Beach’s vibrant cultural landscape.
🎶 🖼️ The lively event included mural unveilings, live performances, craft market place and a fashion show from Renaissance High School Students.
This year’s honorees are:
State of the Arts Award: Bill Greening – Mattel Principal Designer for over two decades. He’s designed Barbie dolls for both children and adults during his tenure.
James H. Ackerman Award: Lyn and John Pohlmann – Longtime supporters of Long Beach arts and culture.
Creative Economy Award: Biggest Little Zine Fair – A vibrant all-ages pop-up market uplifting small businesses and independent publishers.
Incite/Insight Award:
Dave Clark – Artist and educator who revitalized his practice after retirement, creating nearly 30 micro-galleries across Long Beach that provide accessible platforms for local artists.
Kelvin Anderson Sr.- Owner of Long Beach’s iconic VIP Records, Anderson helped launch the careers of Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Nate Dogg while making the store a community hub and safe space for local youth.
Jeremy Dodgen – Advocate for youth in the arts at Renaissance High School for the Arts. Through photography, mentorship, and arts leadership, Dodgen has strengthened RHSA’s artistic and academic standards.
Paige Pelonis – Founder and Executive Director of CityHeART, a nonprofit that uses art and storytelling to amplify the lived experiences of homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health challenges.
praCh Ly – Incite/Insight Award: Cambodian-American artist, musician and filmmaker. His KHMERASPORA initiative drew thousands and spotlighted Cambodian American stories through music, art, and collaboration with the Long Beach Symphony. He is also the co-founder and co-director of the Cambodia Town Film Festival, which is now in its 11th year.
