Celebrating art is what the Culver Arts Foundation does, and so what better venue for a holiday party than Color Me Mine? The downtown paint-your-own-ceramics studio was filled with music, food and conversation on Thursday Dec. 11, 2025, as the CAF closed out the year.
Musicians from AVPA jazz started off the festivities, turning the microphone over to violinist and composer Emer Kinsella for more music, and a silent auction of paintings and collages were up for bids, donated by some of the local artists who have been supported by the foundation.
Santa would have been delighted with the cookies selection; the macarons from Marie-Anne Aizac included some unique macaron-snowmen, and Lei’d Cookies included in their assortment some ginger cookies created for the holiday that included crystalized ginger for some extra kick.
The CAF’s annual Spotlight award went to Brian Herlihy, the Western Field Sales Director for Tito’s Vodka, and a founding sponsor of the Fiesta Mexicana, the CAF’s major fundraising event in October of every year.
Herlihy, who was not on hand, sent thanks via CAF founder Jim Clarke, who shared, “For the last eight years, Tito’s Handmade Vodka has been honored to sponsor Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana, an annual event hosted by Culver City’s iconic taco stand, Tito’s Tacos. [My thanks to the] Culver City Arts Foundation for their continued help, and I look forward to seeing you next year on October 4th.”
The party-goers included the new Mayor Freddy Puza, new Vice Mayor Bubba Fish, and outgoing Mayor Dan O’Brien, celebrating the end of a big week for municipal government.
Judith Martin-Straw
Photo – Former Culver City Artist Laureate Alexey Steele, former Mayor Dan O’Brien, CAF Board member Shona Gupta with partner Erik Paesel.
