About

President

Efren Luna

Efren Luna is a local Long Beach artist. He was born in Zacatecas, Mexico and raised in Long Beach California. Efren grew up in the 80’s and 90’s when gang violence affected youth everywhere throughout Los Angeles. Neighborhoods were affected by lack of economic opportunities, gang violence and drug addiction. Crack cocaine was easily found in every street in the inner-city. He witnessed the riots following the acquittal of the cops who brutally beat Rodney King. During those times, due to his environment, he felt his opportunities were limited to becoming a drug dealer, gang member or a tagger as many of his childhood friends did. He became a tagger and later a writer, which is the next level of taggers where style is developed and visual creations are emphasized. He also maintained his focus in education as he attended Washington Middle School, where he took woodshop and metal shop, and through art classes at Millikan High School, (Class of 1996), he found a love for the arts and decided to study art. However, going to college after high school was not easy. The financial challenge was rough just to survive day to day, so he worked for a couple of years before enrolling in a community college. After working for a couple of years, he put himself through college by working security during the nights and weekends. He studied fine art at California State University, Long Beach, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drawing and Painting in 2007. He also studied at Long Beach City College where he received a degree of Associate in Arts in 2003. Over the years, Efren has painted and curated art and mural projects to uplift the city of Long Beach! Efren’s shows have been very successful in bringing people together and building community. His events include art exhibitions, festivals, art walks, cultural celebrations and charity events to benefit local and international causes. Most recently, Efren organized over 21 murals, including 8 murals painted by him. The murals were painted on boarded storefronts of local businesses affected by the Long Beach riots 2020 during the social justice protests following the killing of George Floyd. The murals included messages of hope and prosperity as well as social justice and support for Black Lives Matters. He continues to actively promote and highlight emerging and established artists and community events. He continues to promote The Long Beach Downtown Art Walk . He has been a member of  the Cultural Alliance of Long Beach since it was established in early 2012. At CALB Efren curates art shows, promotes the arts, advocates for the community and teaches free art and music classes. In early 2023 his fellow board members elected him to represent CALB as President

Treasurer

Victor Ladd

Victor Ladd is an artist and a self taught Photographer who was born in Los Angeles but now resides in Long Beach California since 2011. During his military enlistment, in the United States Air Force for 11 years, he purchased his first camera, a medium format Mamiya C330, and fell in love with photography. What started as a hobby quickly became a lifelong passion. As a photographer, Victor strives to create bold, exciting, and emotional stirring photographs in which the subjects,  be it product or a person, shines and evokes emotion in the viewer. This is the power photography has over him. Victor is proud to have been chosen as the first team of Photographers for the Los Angeles Fire Department Training Academy. He is a former Board Member of the Arts Council for Long Beach and present Board Member/Treasurer/Vice President at the Cultural Alliance of Long Beach. These days you can find him with camera in tow photographing Long Beach or taking pictures in places like Paris France or Italy. He is now enjoying his retirement from Los Angeles Police Department after 33 years of service.

Performing Arts Director

Dr. Maha Afra 

Maha Afra was born and raised in Beirut, Lebanon where she trained in Classical Ballet and later in Lebanese character dance. While dancing, she pursued her BS in Biology and MS in Human Morphology/Genetics at the American University of Beirut. After immigrating to the United States, Maha worked at the UC Irvine genetics laboratory, doing research on brain tumors; studied other forms of dance: Latin, modern, jazz, Argentine tango, and African and Afro-Caribbean and taught at several dance studios. She graduated from UC Irvine with a BA in Dance and an MFA in Dance, taught at several dance studios, community colleges, universities and conferences. She  graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a Doctorate of Education (EdD), Dissertation: Dance Majors in California Community Colleges: Their Steps to What's Next. Her dance company, Maha and Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultural awareness through movement experimentation in traditional, classical and fusion dance forms. Maha is an accredited choreographer, director and dancer; is involved in many community organizations. She is a tenured professor of dance at Cypress College, California and currently serves as the department coordinator. In 2018, Maha received the Diversity and Inclusion Award at Cypress College. Her fierce pride and joy are Michel, Nadeem, and Maya Haddad.

Visual Artist

Diego "Yeyo" Aguirre

Diego "Yeyo" Aguirre was born in Santa Ana, California, of parents from the town of Mascota, Jalisco, Mexico.  He began his career in 2006 as an artist in visual arts. He proudly represents the town of Mascota, Jalisco, in arts in each of his participations at the national and international level. His painting style has been established as urban-realism with different themes of society, history, culture and nature."Yeyo ", his nickname in the art world, studied at the University of Fullerton in the state of California. He finished his studies with a double major degree in Drawing/Painting and Art Education. He received his credential at the same university as an art teacher. He also studied at Goldenwest Community College where he received his Visual Arts degree. Yeyo has been an active arts and cultural participant in the city of Long Beach. Over the years Yeyo has exhibited in various art shows at the Cultural Allicance of Long Beach.
At CALB, he hosted a series of open studio painting events where the general public was invited to participate free of charge.

Photographer

Richard Shimizu

Richard Shimizu was born in Long Beach in the Fifties, MLK Ave and 20th street.  He attended Long Beach Long Beach Polytechnic High School and Long Beach City College.  He also attended California State University of Long Beach. He worked for Nissan in the Port of Los Angeles for 7 years and then 7 years for Pacific Telephone as a PBX repairman. Richard also worked another 23 years with other phone companies. Retirement lead to a search for other outlets and he continued his hobby of sports photography into the Arts scene in the Long Beach East Village. Along the way, he expanded in music, dance and theater. Sometimes performing but mostly documenting events. Along the way he has been recognized by City Heart,  the Downtown Long Beach Associates , The Long Beach Mayors Office, The Long Beach Post's Best of Long Beach, and the State Assembly among many other recognitions.

"I regard myself as someone who takes pictures but once people open up to you then the Magic happens" -Richard Shimizu

Community Organizer

Elizabeth Gonzalez

Elizabeth Gonzalez graduated from the Neighborhood Leadership Program in 2014,  programed  by the City of Long Beach Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau.  She has been a Long Beach resident for over 20 years. During this time she has been a part of many organizations that focus on enhancing the Long Beach community. She has received recognitions by various organizations and government officials for her community dedication. Elizabeth is passionate about sharing her Mexican culture through art, music and tradition. She believes that art and culture should be accessible to everyone. Elizabeth is an expert on The Day of the Dead Celebration, with more than 10 years of experience. Her experience ranges from altar building, traditional food and craft making, and engaging the community with day of the dead activities. Elizabeth’s work with the community also focuses on literacy and art with younger generations. She hosts a reading club with children in which she helps them obtain access to the library resources. With her reading club Elizabeth engages children in arts and crafts projects to help inspire creativity and self expression.

Youth Advocate

Keith Lilly

Keith Lilly is a long time Long Beach resident. In 1976-1978, he attended California State University of Long Beach where he focused in the area of Recreation. Over the years he has been involved in youth after school and mentoring programs like the Boys and Girls Club in Long Beach. Over the years Keith has been recognized by many organizations and government officials for his continued community service. Currently, Keith is the Director and the Founder of Developing Future Leaders, a non profit organization that serves youth and strives to deliver the highest forms of educational values, responsibility, self-respect, and integrity in all organizational aspects of life. His organization mentoring programs help youth develop into productive contributors of society. At CALB, Keith has helped to bring after school programs for children and parents.