Staff
Jennifer Laine holds a B.A. in Art History from UC Santa Cruz and a M.A. in Global Studies from the University of Leipzig, Germany. She has over 10 years of experience working with cultural and international organizations, such as the Bechtel International Center at Stanford University, the International Diplomacy Council in San Francisco and the Kato-gun Board of Education in Japan.
Jennifer is also an art and dance enthusiast. In 1999-2000, she performed with the Mel Wong Dance Company and has taught and studied dance throughout the Bay Area, Germany and the UK . She currently teaches modern dance at the San Benito Dance Academy.
Board
Born in San Francisco and raised in Hollister, Tom graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in English and then served two years in the United States Army on active duty and a total of 13 years in the Army Reserve. He received a Juris Doctorate degree from Santa Clara’s Law School in 1963 and practiced law in Santa Clara and San Jose for 12 years, then serving as Counsel to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Civil & Constitutional Rights of the House Committee on the Judiciary in Washington D.C. from 1975 until appointment to the Superior Court in San Benito County in June 1980.
Tom retired in 2000 and was elected to the Gavilan College Board of Trustees and serves there now. A member of the Board of the Youth Alliance for over 10 years; a public member of the Child Abuse Prevention Council for the past 9 years; a member of San Juan Bautista Rotary and a member of the Baler Backers. Tom is married Karen and has two children residing in Hollister.
Kent spent his early childhood in Cheyenne, Wyoming. His family moved to California and he spent most of his school and college years in the San Francisco Bay Area. After earning A.A, B.A. and M.A. degrees in art in college, Kent moved to San Benito County to teach studio art at Gavilan College. His 35 year career at Gavilan shifted from teaching to serving as a dean during the last 17 years, until his retirement in 2002. He is currently an elected member of Gavilan’s Board of Trustees.
A former member of the San Benito County Art Commission in the 1980s, Kent joined the Board of the San Benito County Arts Council in early 2009.
Kent continues to produce artwork in a variety of media, but his primary focus is pottery, producing wheel-thrown and sculptural stoneware and porcelain ceramics. He also works with wood and metal sculpture and oil painting. He resides in Hollister, where he operates Sally Street Studios with his wife, oil painter Kathy Sheridan.
Cesar Flores, a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), has over 30 years experience with El Teatro Campesino.
His most recent theatrical endeavors include La Pastorella (El Teatro Campesino), Rain of Gold (Western Stage Company), and The Late Henry Moss (Magic Theater, SF). He has also been involved in numerous television and film projects.
Sylvia Sahagun Gonzalez an immigrant from Mexicali Baja California, Mexico. She first came to Hollister, California and graduated from San Benito Join Union High School. Sylvia started pursuing acting and singing in Mexico and continue with her craft after moving to California.
Sylvia has worked with El Teatro Campesino in San Juan Bautista and the Latin American Theater Artists (L.A.T.A) and Rainbow Theater in San Francisco. She has also worked with the Mission Cultural Center, ACT, Latina Theater Lab and BRAVA, as well as in independent films and as a voice over artist in film and documentaries.
Michael Grace (Mike) began his career as a Certified Public Accountant in 1979. He was a CPA with Deloitte and Touche, an international tax and accounting firm, until working as a controller for an agribusiness company. He founded his own local CPA practice in 1986, and in 1998 formed the partnership of Grace & Associates, CPAs.
Mike has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and is available to help you with audit, business planning, taxation, accounting, valuation and a variety of other consulting services. In addition to serving on the board of the San Benito County Arts Council, he also serves as Treasurer for the Community Foundation for San Benito County and Finance Assistant for the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Louisa Munoz grew in Hollister since childhood and is now a resident of San Juan Bautista. She has been working for El Teatro Campesino since 1979. She was hired in 1979 as an Administrative Assistant for the company. She served as Comptroller for fourteen years before becoming the company’s Business Manager in 1994. In 1999, she became Luis Valdez’ Executive Assistant. She has been involved in the theater arts for over thirty-two years.
B.A., UC Davis, Major, English, Minor, Art practice
M.Ed. University of Utah
I have been interested in the arts throughout my life. As an educator I have used my art experience in the classroom, as a teacher and as a parent volunteer. As an artist I have explored painting, printmaking, fiberarts. It has been a great benefit to my life and to my shared experience of art with others. Being a member of SBAC has added dimension to that experience: community involvement and support for the arts.
Jane Rekedal is a professional potter and long time resident of San Benito County, having moved from Minnesota in 1975. She teaches ceramics at Gavilan Community College and maintains her own studio, Family Gooey Pottery, in a rural setting in Aromas. She hosts her own studio opening twice annually and participates in art events throughout the area. Jane also currently serves as a director on the Executive Board of the Aromas Hills Artisans.
Jane produces stoneware and porcelain pottery that is both sculptural and functional, inspired by historical ceramics, yet contemporary in character. Recent sculptural work focuses on a series of animals including sea otters, horses, birds, dogs, and cats.
