Ambassadors
The Ambassador Program includes a diverse group of local artisans, non-profit organization representatives, and community members with a desire to honor Dana Point’s history and local charm with positive and memorable experiences and events for residents and visitors.
Maria Elena Banks
Maria Elena has always had a passion for the arts, especially music! She has helped organize many events in Dana Point and looks forward to being even more involved.
Ashley Endemano
Ashley is a photographer and creative designer based in Dana Point. She is the founder of Wild Creative Studio, a versatile space she uses for photography, design, and branding, while also offering it as a rental studio for other artists and creatives. Her goal is to grow the studio into a welcoming community space where ideas can thrive. She is honored to serve as an Arts & Culture Ambassador, supporting Dana Point’s vibrant creative community.
Alicia Erlinger
Alicia is a long time Dana Point resident, educator, theatre maker and advocate. She previously served as a Board Member for Dana Point Coastal Arts and Dana Theatre Company. Professionally, Alicia is a CUSD teacher and was awarded Theatre Arts Teacher of the Year by OC Music and Arts Administrators. Additionally, she has produced original plays, directed at the Long Beach Playhouse, and appeared on stage at South Coast Repertory.
Hadley Fox
Hadley is a senior at Dana Hills High School and in her third year of Advanced Art in the South Orange County School of Arts program within DHHS. She is the varsity captain on Pep Squad and member of the Dana Hills Student Senate. She plans on majoring in Graphic Communication in college. Hadley has grown up in Dana Point and is proud to support the arts within her community.
Ashley Keene
Ashley is a local mix media visual artist and designer who has created art her entire life. Growing up near the beach, her artwork is heavily influenced by the local surf culture and ocean vistas, inspiring an array of bright colors that give her artwork a surreal and dreamlike ambiance.
Jennifer Keil
Jennifer has a Master of Arts in Public and Oral History. She founded 70 Degrees to archive, preserve and exhibit cultural institutions. She is preserving Laura Davick Crystal Cove Historic Archive Collection. She is the founding director of the Balboa Island Museum and Moulton Museum.
Nancy Jenkins
Nancy has always been interested in the arts since her mother taught her art when she was young. Her ultimate goal is to help and support students and artists. Currently, she is taking several jewelry classes at Saddleback College.
Stephanie Sanchez
Stephanie is a longtime local with a deep passion for the arts and education. She was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities grant to study at the Folger Shakespeare Library and has fostered creativity for students in the Capistrano Unified School District for over 20 years now, celebrating the arts over the years.
Karin Schnell
Karin has been involved in arts her whole career, from museums, arts education, art festivals, and public art. She serves on the Board for the Dana Point Arts Alliance, Dana Point Symphony, and Dana Point Sister Cities.
Anthony Small
Anthony is a local musician, arts advocate, Dana Point Times columnist, and Dana Point Sister Cities Ambassador of Music. In 2023, he was named by the California Arts Council and Arts Orange County as recipient of an Individual Artist Legacy Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award.
Laura Smith Hatch
Laura grew up in Pensacola, Florida and attended law school in New Orleans - two cities known for their rich culture and music. She is committed to cultivating and preserving arts and culture in the city and making it a special place for both residents and visitors.
Phil Vandermost
Phil is a Dutch American singer, songwriter and guitarist who kept his lifelong passion for the arts alive with performances throughout Southern California. He is a member of the Orange County Public Affairs Association and is committed to bringing both artistic and public relations expertise to Dana Point's creative vitality.
Dana Yarger
Dana is a long time art industry veteran having been a gallerist, art publisher, art collector, exhibition curator, noted trainer in the psychology of art acquisition process, author on art valuation, art collector's buyer/advocate and agent for artists.
