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
Administrative Assistant and Social Media Manager- Sage Juarez
Media Communications Director- Gabrielle Gopinath
Marketing Special Projects- Kay Lopez
Eureka Cultural Arts District Manager- Vahan Petrossian
Chief Financial Officer- Heather Roche-Waldo
Bookkeeper- Loreta Flemingaite
Youth Mentor: Media Arts Resource Zone (MARZ), JumpstArts, Special Projects- Cory Goldman
Youth Mentor: Media Arts Resource Zone (MARZ), Special Projects- Jay Tilghman
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)
In addition to our supporting members, The Ink People would like to thank these funders:
Major Funders:
National Endowment for the Arts;
California Arts Council;
Humboldt Area Foundation;
Melvin and Grace McLean Foundation;
Save The Redwoods League; Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Humboldt Sponsors