Our Purpose
The Ink People changes lives by connecting the community with resources for cultural development. We encourage people to exercise their humanity, build civic discourse, and engage their creative potential. We are actively weaving the arts into the fabric of our community.


 

Weaving the Arts Into the Fabric of Our Community Since 1979

        The Ink People has been changing people’s lives since 1979 by connecting the community with resources for cultural development. We encourage people to exercise their humanity, build civic discourse, and engage their creative potential. We have a long time presence in Humboldt County and northern California as a community-based, grassroots, artist-run, arts and culture organization. We are organized on community access principles and the belief that art, in all its forms, is essential to the human spirit and well being.

       We base our activities in a philosophy of sharing and community building. We think it is important to listen to people’s hopes and dreams, and to help realize them, but not do it for them.  We feel that arts and culture should be an integral and conscious part of everyone’s life, so we set about weaving the arts back into the fabric of our community.  We know that young people are the future and are incredibly challenged by today’s world, so we try to give them tools to build successful and fulfilling lives.

       The Ink People was co-founded by two printmakers, Brenda Tuxford & Libby Maynard who wanted to create a peer support structure for artists, educate the community about the value of the arts, and use art to effect change. A small, but passionate staff run day to day operations with help from over 100 volunteers and independent contractors.

       With over 400 members, we are nurturing culture through the education and involvement of artists and audiences. The DreamMaker Program supports over 70 self-directing projects created by people who want to make their community a better place through arts and culture. We offer administrative support, management, and capacity building training. Other ongoing programs include exhibitions, performances, educational opportunities for all ages, a monthly newsletter, and the MARZ Project, which provides at-risk youth with tools to create positive change in their communities.

Learn more about the first 40 years of Ink History.


The Ink People Office
627 3rd St., Eureka, CA 95501
Open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Main Office: (707) 442-8413
Fax: (707) 444-8722
inkers@inkpeople.org

The Brenda Tuxford Gallery-
422 1st St., Eureka, CA 95501
tuxfordgallery@inkpeople.org

 

Ink People Staff

Executive Director- Leslie Castellano

Leslie@inkpeople.org
Administrative Director- Monica Topping

Monica@inkpeople.org

Administrative Assistant and Social Media Manager- Sage Juarez

marketing@inkpeople.org 

Media Communications Director- Gabrielle Gopinath

Gabrielle@inkpeople.org

Marketing Special Projects- Kay Lopez

Kay@inkpeople.org

Eureka Cultural Arts District Manager- Vahan Petrossian

Vahan@inkpeople.org

Chief Financial Officer- Heather Roche-Waldo

Heather@inkpeople.org

Bookkeeper- Loreta Flemingaite

Loreta@inkpeople.org

Youth Mentor: Media Arts Resource Zone (MARZ), JumpstArts, Special Projects- Cory Goldman

cory@inkpeople.org

Youth Mentor: Media Arts Resource Zone (MARZ), Special Projects- Jay Tilghman

jay@inkpeople.org

Youth Mentor: JumpstArts- Matthew Oliveri

matthew.jumpstarts.inkpeople@gmail.com 
Technology Director - Karen Asbury

inktechie@inkpeople.org
Administrative Assistant- Jenny Downs
Alternative Galleries Coordinator- Angie Valetutto  

. . . And many wonderful volunteers


Ink People Board of Directors

President - Cati Gallardo (she/her) -Public Information Specialist, County of Humboldt
Vice President - James Kloor (they/them) - Deputy Director of Finance and Administration, Humboldt Area Foundation & Wild Rivers Community Foundation
Treasurer - Eileen Sacra Capaccio (she/her)- CPA, private practice
Secretary - Logan Ashworth (they/them)- Administrative Analyst, County of Humboldt Economic Development Division

Board Members

Gary Bird (he/him)- Retired Director of Human Services, City of Eureka

Delo Freitas (she/her)- Senior Planner, City of Arcata

Mo Harper-Desir (she/her)- Co-Founder and Director of Operations Black Humboldt, Director Mo HD Creates

Nanette Kelley (she/her)- Journalist (First American Art Magazine, Indian Country Today, Native News Online)/Producer/Director

Sean McLaughlin (he/him)- Executive Director, Access Humboldt

Aundrea Stuckey (she/her), DreamMaker Representative- Director Youth Art Will Succeed and Aya Wellness Village. Co-Director “Art. Representation. Culture.” (A.R.C.)

Michelle Vassel (she/her)- Tribal Head Administrator, Wiyot Tribe

Brenda Perez - Executive Director, Centro Del Pueblo


 

Ink People, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt California nonprofit corporation. 2017 Form 990 (link to PDF)

funders_banner.png