Golden City, Golden Future

Sandra Peña Sarmiento is a Santa Ana native who attended local schools and went on to make her mark in Arts & Entertainment. She stands for: Arts & Economic Prosperity, Tourism & Technology, 21st Century Education, Historic Preservation, and Quality of Life. This November 6, vote for a golden future in Santa Ana, Vote for Sarmiento!

This November 6, go for the gold in Santa Ana, Vote for Sarmiento!

I stand for:

Arts & Economic Prosperity
Tourism & Technology
21^st Century Education
Historic Preservation
Quality of Life

A Santa Ana Native…

I’m a native Santanera who grew up in Delhi and Eastside. My dad was a Disneyland carpenter and my mom worked at a local Aerospace plant. Growing up as a mix of Mexican-American artisans and Bolivian immigrants, my family taught me the importance of diligent work and cultural agility.

Attended local schools, Monroe in Delhi, Roosevelt in Eastside and Saint Anne’s on South Main
Received BA in two majors, Sociology and Visual Arts from UC San Diego
Attended Chapman University and completed coursework for MA in Film & TV at UCLA
Worked on Spanish-language television, international live concert tapings and opera for over a decade
Connected to Digital Media & Creative Industries, a source of massive revenues & jobs
Devoted to cultivating new Anchor Industries: Tourism, Film/TV Production, Digital Media & Design
Longtime LGBT Ally and committed to finding housing solutions for Queer Youth & Elders
Former gallery owner in Artist Village, supportive of small business, coworking and indie contractors
Current educator and supportive of STEAM, Coding, Digital Technology initiatives in both K-12 & College

A strong believer in increased Youth Services & Foster Care Support, currently in training to foster
Elder Care for a golden lifestyle, lives with elderly mother and loves building intergenerational bridges
Grew up in a Union household, supportive of Labor, a fair wage and family benefits
Supportive of Responsible Development, equitable housing and cultivating more local homeownership
Committed to streamlining the permitting process in the City with an online tracking system
Believes Placemaking is essential to cultivating community, lowering crime and curbing delinquency
Quality of Life affects all of us, more housing options, strategic zoning and service partnerships can help

AN EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD IN OUR COMMUNITY!

In under 10 years, look at all the work Sandra has achieved in Santa Ana:

Founded a local Film Festival, the OC Film Fiesta, a cinematic celebration of Orange County’s diversity. It’s going into it’s ninth year and happens every fall.
Co-founded United Artists of Santa Ana – A collective of local artists who successfully advocated for Arts & Culture Commission and helped create OC’s first all artists Low-Income development.
Led the creation of Santa Ana’s first Arts & Culture Commission (served 2 years as Vice-Chair & 1 year as Chair) – A new City Commission designed to cultivate the presence of Creative Industries and Arts-Related revenue.
Co-founded Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA) – A media arts non-profit that inspires the growth and development of the Media Arts in Santa Ana by empowering the local community through classes, festivals screenings, access to technology, and workshops.
Re-Launched Eastside Neighborhood Association – United with longtime community leaders and together relaunched the Eastside Neighborhood Association, holding monthly meetings at Roosevelt Elementary. Led Standard Safety Walk with Councilwoman Martinez and the inclusion of Standard Ave into the Santa Ana’s Active Transportation plan.
Advocated for the Restoration of “Among Heroes” mural – Created budget, coordinated community fundraising efforts and filed paperwork for this important restoration project honoring our veterans. The project should be completed in early August 2018.
Written numerous grants and proposals for the City pro-bono, to stimulate and finance important investment in Public Art, Workforce Development and Placemaking across Santa Ana.