Michelle Berc: Executive Program Director, Curator, Event Producer (CEO)
Michelle Berc’s unlimited creative endeavors include art, photography, curating art shows,producing electronic music, and most recently she’s exploring clothing design. The motivation behind Michelle’s photography stems from her passion for music and DJ culture. This musical passion also inspires her two-dimensional art work. The Depth and motion created in her work seems to entrance the mind with a rhythmic feel that is also conveyed in her music. Michelle is also the founder of Create:Fixate. By assisting innovative new artists, Michelle’s goal is to encourage the general public to look upon Create:Fixate as a venue to discover emerging talent.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Speedy Gonzalez & Cookie Monster (do muppets count?)
Favorite Sandwich: Bombay Wrap from Leaf Cuisine (do wraps count?)
Special Talent: Breaking all the rules and multi-tasking while multi-tasking and then multi-tasking some more.
Henry Self: Chairman of the Board
An associate at the entertainment litigation firm of Lavely & Singer PC in Los Angeles, Henry Self specializes in copyright and trademark law. He is also an electronic music DJ with more than 10 years of experience playing in clubs, at parties and on the radio.
What is your favorite cartoon character? Ralph Wiggum
What is your favorite type of sandwich? falafel
Do you have any special talents? yes
Carlos E. Alfaro: Secretary/Governance and Finance Committee
Carlos E. Alfaro is an entrepreneur. In 1997, together with his brother Carlos co-founded Alfaro & Alfaro Insurance Services, now operating under the brand Insurenex, an independent insurance brokerage firm that specializes in helping businesses and families protect their assets and financial future through planning, placement and administration of quality insurance products. Carlos is an active member of the business community; served as commissioner for the City of Los Angeles Quality and Productivity Commission from 2000-2004; in 2007, Carlos was appointed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve as Commissioner for the Los Angeles Convention Center Authority Commission.
Favorite Cartoon: Marvin the Martian
Favorite sandwich: Toasted wheat bread, bologna, mustard and light mayo
Special talent: An entrepreneurial spirit
Theresa Behdjet: Treasurer
Theresa Behdjet has been a big fan of Create:Fixate for several years and was inspired to get involved. She has worked in product marketing for several years and plans to use her experience to help Create:Fixate partner with businesses and organizations in the community. Reaching out to people otherwise unfamiliar with Create:Fixate and working with them to get excited about supporting local artists is a major goal. I’ll be working with the Marketing and Event Production committee to publicize our events and get our supporters involved.
Favorite sandwich: italian sub
Special talent: knitting
Favorite cartoon character: marge simpson
Andrea Giardina: Music Coordinator, Education Committee
Andrea Giardina aka DJ AquaVee has been with Createfixate from day one. She is the Music & Education Coordinator and Resident DJ for Createfixate, as well as a teacher with LAUSD. As Education Chair for Create:Fixate, Andrea organizes seminars and plans programs that involve art/music and youth. Andrea has a B.A. in Psychology & Holistic Health and M.A. in Education in addition to her multiple subject teaching credential.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Felix the Cat
Favorite Sandwich: Basil, Avocado, Hummus, tomato sandwich on toasted sourdough
Special Talent: she is double jointed in her shoulders
Andre Freimann : Event Producer, Co-Curator
Andre Freimann has over twenty years experience as a nonprofit activist, designer/inventor/innovator, technology expert and artist. He specializes in the fields of streaming media, internet strategy, architecture/construction and graphic design. He currently works as a Product Support Engineer for Accordent Technologies, a streaming media software company in Hermosa Beach, CA. As a professional sculptor and artist for over 15 years, Andre is personally committed to working for social growth and change in the art community.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Tasmanian Devil
Favorite Sandwich: I have travelled the world in search of the perfect Reuben, and Ashley’s deli in Hermosa Beach serves up the best!
Special Talent: I can fix anything
Gustavo Herrera: Membership Director
Herrera is the the Events Manager for the Development Department of American Honda Motors. Prior to joining AHM, Gustavo Herrera worked alongside Executive and Program Directors for institutions: Autry National Center, San Bernardino County Arts, Palm Springs Arts, and UCSB’s University Art Museum. He studies Business Administration and Organizational Development at the Master’s level at the University of Judaism. He is committed to working for the strong presence of quality art and diverse culture in Los Angeles.
What is your favorite cartoon character? Johnny Bravo
What is your favorite type of sandwich? Chicken Salad Sandwich on Focaccia Bread from the Coffee Table / Spicy Mustard!
Do you have any special talents? Let’s assume I have none.
Ted Werth: Growth Strategy Consulting
Ted is a business consultant specializing in early stage companies (www.injenius.com). He’s also a chronic entrepreneur with start-up experience in digital media, music and films, marketing services, and consumer goods companies. In his spare time, Ted plays guitar, enjoys logic puzzles, and builds blinky art.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Harvey Birdman
Favorite Sandwich: Pat’s Provolone Steak With
Special Talent: Eating multiple Pat’s Provolone Steaks With
David Loomstein
David Loomstein is an L.A.-based writer, DJ, producer and media strategist. An alumnus of Duke University and the USC Annenberg School, David spent one decade in independent and studio film production, and another as a senior product manager at Symantec Corp. A consultant to the media, entertainment and technology businesses, David publishes a weekly editorial column, The Morning Brief (www.morningbrief.net) , is the buzz columnist for www.sunsetstrip.com, and Djs at festivals, parties and events all over planet earth.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century
Favorite Sandwich: French dip beef brisket at Nate n Al’s
Special Talent: David is known throughout the universe as the King of Wings
Advisory Board
Katherine Johnson, MPA: Program Development Consultation
Katherine has been working with community and nonprofit groups for the last fourteen years and loves it. Her experience includes directing a small community center to running million dollar international development initiatives. She spent a great deal of time in Eastern Europe as a Peace Corps volunteer and then with the Soros Foundation as a program officer developing civil society in post-Soviet countries. After a lot of traveling, our little nomad settled down to do graduate work at New York University and loved academia so much that she took a position to direct an international programs office at New York University while working on a doctorate in political science. After too many years of graduate work, she decided to move to Venice in 2003. Her current position is Director of Program Development with PHFE Management Solutions a 501c3 fiscal sponsor. She thoroughly enjoys working with Create:Fixate as it offers an opportunity to express her Taurean self while at the same time nurture her artist within.
What is your favorite cartoon character? South Park
What is your favorite type of sandwich? a nicely toasted pita with avocado,tomato and a touch of balsamic
Do you have any special talents? the hidden talents are still hidden
Jonathan Tavss: Business and Marketing Consultation
After years working production and development of Television and Film properties for different companies, Jonathan made the jump to the internet and, ultimately, started his own Media Consulting firm. Teaming primarily with entertainment companies and ad agencies on brand extension, digital marketing campaigns and general business systems, Jonathan has been able to put his broad experience to use. Luckily, he is able to devote much of his time to volunteering in such capacities as; Board Member for Create:Fixate, Co-Chair for the Boston University Alumni Club of Los Angeles, Advisor for BBYO and more. He also enjoys fostering his ever-growing collection of art.
What is your favorite cartoon character? Muttley and Magilla Gorilla
What is your favorite type of sandwich? the Super Rico at Fred 62
Do you have any special talents? has an insane appetite/talent for over-packing his schedule with fun and interesting events
Laura Beatty: Marketing Consultation
Laura Beatty has over twelve years of digital and traditional marketing experience for start-ups and established brands. She hits as many art shows as possible and thoroughly enjoys Create:Fixate events. Laura’s goal is to find opportunities to further the dialogue among Create: Fixate, emerging artists, and the audience as well as continue with her own mixed media painting.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Aeon Flux
Favorite Sandwich: Egg sandwich. Mmmmm.
Special Talent: Always up to something and able to find those rare ‘wow’ moments
Jason Elias: Photography Guest Curator
Jason Elias is an accomplished photographer, lighting director, and writer living in Venice, California. He shoots commercially, works editorially on assignment and runs a Travel Photography workshop business. Jason has been a contributing editor at American Photo Magazine where he has written about photography, lighting, and travel. His corporate and editorial clients include, House of Blues, SBC, Disney, Rolling Stone and NEED Magazine. Jason also curates the all photography show every summer and has been working with Create:Fixate since its inception.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Snuffalupogous (I realize not TECHNICALLY a cartoon character, but still ranks as my number one…)
Favorite Sandwich: turkey melt on sourdough with a side of thousand island
Special Talent: rarely, if ever, bored
Staff
Janice Markham: High School Emerging Artists Program Director
Janice Markham is Artistic Director of VOX BOX Arts Collective. With VOX BOX Janice has produced, written, directed and acted in many theatrical productions. She is currently performing in the critically acclaimed playThe Boychick Affair at the Hayworth Theater. Janice co-founded the 8 Sundays Emerging Artist High School Program, a collaboration of Create:Fixate and VOX BOX. Ms. Markham’s TV interview show, Press for Democracy, airs on FreeSpeech TV, and she is currently working as a freelance writer for Disney Publishing. Janice is also known ‘round these parts as a violinist, having performed everywhere from The House of Blues in Hollywood and Create:Fixate, to somewhere scary in northern Idaho. She is musician in residence with her group Somnambulist at the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum. www.voxboxarts.com
Favorite Cartoon Character: “The Count” from Sesame Street
Favorite Sandwich: mozzarella, tomato, basil
Special Talent: getting playdough out of my screen door and tempera paint off the cat
Evelyn Cover: Assistant Producer
The world is a place of endless posibilities. Evelyn’s goal in life is to explore at least a half of them. When she’s not helping Michelle strengthen LA’s artist community, she spends much of her time on her animation homework or travelling. She will one day be fluent in Portuguese.
What is your favorite cartoon character? Stitch
What is your favorite type of sandwich? turkey, cheese and jelly. grilled
Do you have any special talents? an excellent coordinator
Justin Edwards: Production Assistant
Justin currently finds himself amidst an existential crisis of sorts as he scurries from the nest of Academia into the gaping mouth of the “real world.” Doe-eyed but determined, he welcomes whatever the future holds. Graduating Cum Laude from the University of California, Los Angeles with degrees in Art History and Global Studies, Justin has his sights set high for the years to come. Intellectually, his interests fall in the space where art and activism overlap, specifically the way that an aesthetic program communicates a politicized agenda.
Favorite Cartoon Character: Garfield
Favorite Sandwich: Tuna salad w/ tons of hot sauce
Special Talent: He has moves never before seen on any dance floor
Major Contributors, Volunteers, and Interns:
A very special thank you to the following past and present major contributors, volunteers, artists, and interns to our arts organization and the Create:Fixate community:
Lynn Hasty, Rebecca Darke, Elizabeth Greenway, Anthony Plamondon, Dani Lindstrom, Julie Rassmusen, Jonathan Obera, Cat Lambertini, Vanyo, Eric Tucker, Jubal, Dayvid Iannaci, Brady Westwater, Andrea LaHue, John Tejada, Michael Hayden, Hope Hunter, Monica Loya, Christianne Ray, Luis Diaz, Mariana Boctor, Vanessa Schreiber, Christine Cover, Kenneth Graham, Juan Benavides, Chantell Durelli, Michael Rababy, Luc Lestemeeker, Matthew Swanlund, Ted VanCleave, Jedi, Treiops Treyfid, Neil Simon Poyuzina, Patrick Haemmerlein, Brandy Flower, Liza Richardson, Lucas Dodson, Premiere Events, Ross McFarlane, Mark Ferem, Wei Weng, The Berc Family, Rebecca Crandall, Ashton Trujillo, Janell Grace, Tomas Verde, Adam Freeland, Force Field Sound, Distant Beat, Fabrik Magazine, Keshot, LA Weekly, Flavorpill, Shana Nys Dambrot , PD Rabbit, Insurenex, Rajal Pitroda, and many more as we will update this section quite often!