The Arts Council for Long Beach (ArtsLB) is proud to announce the honorees for the 2025 State of the Arts awards, recognizing artists, cultural leaders, and organizations whose creativity and leadership continue to shape Long Beach’s vibrant cultural landscape. This year’s event will take place on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Marina Pacifica Boardwalk (6326 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90803). The evening will feature live performances, mural unveilings, and opportunities to connect with Long Beach’s vibrant creative community.
“Our annual State of the Arts is our chance to celebrate the people and organizations that make Long Beach’s creative scene thrive,” said Griselda Suarez, Executive Director of ArtsLB. “These honorees reflect the power of art to build bridges, amplify diverse voices, and inspire community resilience.”
This year’s honorees are:
- State of the Arts Award: Bill Greening – Mattel Principal Designer for over two decades. He’s designed Barbie dolls for both children and adults during his tenure. Some of his best-known works include Princess and the Pauper, Barbie Basics, and the Haunted Beauty collection. His collaborations with Kylie Minogue, Tina Turner, DC Superheros, and Bob Mackie have become collectible art that bridges pop culture and fashion.
- James H. Ackerman Award: Lyn and John Pohlmann – Longtime supporters of Long Beach arts and culture, Lyn (a retired piano teacher and ArtsLB board member) and John have provided decades of leadership, philanthropy, and hospitality to strengthen cultural organizations across the city.
- Creative Economy Award: Biggest Little Zine Fair – A vibrant all-ages pop-up market uplifting small businesses and independent publishers. BLZF enriches Long Beach’s creative economy by centering accessibility, diverse voices, and social justice themes through its fairs, workshops, and events.
- Incite/Insight Award:
- Dave Clark – Artist and educator who revitalized his practice after retirement, creating nearly 30 micro-galleries across Long Beach that provide accessible platforms for local artists.
- Kelvin Anderson Sr.- Owner of Long Beach’s iconic VIP Records, Anderson helped launch the careers of Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Nate Dogg while making the store a community hub and safe space for local youth.
- Jeremy Dodgen – Advocate for youth in the arts at Renaissance High School for the Arts. Through photography, mentorship, and arts leadership, Dodgen has strengthened RHSA’s artistic and academic standards.
- Paige Pelonis – Founder and Executive Director of CityHeART, a nonprofit that uses art and storytelling to amplify the lived experiences of homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health challenges.
- praCh Ly – Incite/Insight Award: Cambodian-American artist, musician and filmmaker. His KHMERASPORA initiative drew thousands and spotlighted Cambodian American stories through music, art, and collaboration with the Long Beach Symphony. He is also the co-founder and co-director of the Cambodia Town Film Festival, which is now in its 11th year.