About WEAD
We are a community-led initiative to foster and celebrate the performing and visual arts in the West End of Alameda.
West End Arts District (WEAD) was founded in 2015. We believe that arts and culture are essential to nurturing a strong and vibrant community. Since launching our flagship annual event, Blues, Brews and BBQ, in 2015, we have expanded our programming to include a range of free arts and community-building events, including Animate Dance Festival, West End Night Market, outdoor art installations, and more.
Our Mission
We provide a platform for artists to create vibrant art experiences on the West End of Alameda that bring together local and regional audiences around the visual and performing arts. Our events and programs offer new perspectives, spark conversation, and engage with the landscape we live in.
Our Vision
We connect artists, community members, funders, and audiences to create exciting art experiences that foster a vibrant community and position the West End of Alameda as a regional hub for the visual and performing arts.
West End Arts District was formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in February 2016. Our full name is West End Arts And Entertainment District (it's a bit of a mouthful). Our Federal tax ID is 81-1374719.
"Culture is not only beneficial to cities; in a deeper sense, it’s what cities are for."
— Rebecca Solnit
Impact and Goals
As the West End of Alameda continues to change and grow, we will continue to serve as a resource for art innovation and programming that provides a sense of place and community for all, and to advocate for a vision of the West End as a regional destination for the arts.
Board of Directors
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After a career in global product management and marketing for major technology companies, Nick moved to the West End of Alameda in 2020 where he has restored an 1897 Victorian home.
In parallel with his technology work, Nick maintained a creative career as an artist, inspired by his parents and sisters - all artists. As a fine art photographer, Nick's work has been exhibited in contemporary photography galleries across the US, as well as the UK and Japan. He is a member of the Bay Area Photographers Collective (BAPC). In addition to fine art work, Nick collaborates with artists, educators and producers in the San Francisco Bay Area to photograph music, dance and theater, most recently working with the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley. He also continues to pursue a lifelong passion for music, playing bass with local bands and supporting local musicians and music related projects.
Nick holds a Masters degree in Natural Sciences from The University of Cambridge, UK and a Certificate in Marketing from U.C. Berkeley.
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Board President
An entrepreneur and artist with a strong commitment to all things art and music, Sandy Russell is co-owner for the last five years of The Fireside Lounge a local bar, lounge, community meeting place and music venue with a diverse live music program. The Fireside Lounge participates in the 2nd Friday Art Stroll and hosts a monthly art opening called ArtSmash for emerging Bay Area artists. Sandy’s company, Crate Big Ideas, repurposes wood wine crates and many other items into beautiful home décor. She is a board member of Rhythmix Cultural Works and also on the leadership team of West Alameda Business Association.
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Board Treasurer/ Vice President
Dance artist and choreographer Tara Pilbrow came to Alameda after 15 years performing and creating work in Paris, London and Argentina. In 2018 she partnered with West End Arts District to launch “Animate Alameda,” and two years later she accepted the role as executive director and has enjoyed expanding and diversifying the organization.
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Board Secretary
I have been dabbling in and dancing with the arts my whole life. Via a career in pediatric healthcare, I have witnessed firsthand the healing offered by creativity and expression. And as a twenty year resident of Alameda, I have seen the transformation of place that the arts create. My garden is my favorite form of creative outlet. I am honored to be of service to my island home by being on the Board of West End Arts District.
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Jessica is committed to racial equity, social justice, offers a bilingual/bicultural perspective, and has a long history of working with diverse communities, with almost 15 years as a social sector evaluation, research, and strategy consultant. Jessica is co-owner of Learning for Action, a firm that partners with organizations to maximize their impact. She was born and raised in Los Angeles to Salvadoran immigrants and now lives on the West End of Alameda with her musician husband and precocious son.
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Board President
Rachel brings a background in entertainment, sales, and marketing. Her recent career has focused on designing and executing early site activation and marketing strategies for development projects and bids including The Point, the first major redevelopment project at Alameda Point, and the West Alameda Business Association.
Ms. Campos de Ivanov excels at balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders from merchants to city government officials and community groups. She works to bring local flavor, creative spirit, and authenticity to every program she works on.Prior to moving in to retail and real estate Rachel had an extensive career in digital media sales with a particular focus on the video games and music industries. She launched her career in marketing and advertising at SONY Metreon where she was responsible for the execution of activation programs and special event sales for the 400,000 square foot center.
Rachel holds a B.S. degree from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.
Community Advisory Board
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Aisha Barbeau is mother of two boys, an attorney, and long time lover of dance and the arts. She is excited to be helping WEAD bring more art to Alameda. Just what the world needs now.
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Employed in London, San Francisco, Oakland, and Alameda activating landmark properties with multi-disciplinary performing and visual arts, business, community, non profit, public events; I made my home on the West End in 2012 after joining the crew of the USS Hornet Museum.
A graduate of the Long Island School of the Arts, with training in NYC at Uta Hagen’s HB Studios, continuing ed studies in voice at A.C.T., fundraising, marketing, real estate with a passion for cinema and theatre preservation — other consulting clients include Oakland’s Historic Movie Palace: the Grand Lake Theatre.
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Yakaira is a product and research leader in tech. Over the course of her career she has employed her expertise across industries and services for multinational organizations, educational institutions, start ups, and not for profits. As VP of Research & Insights for the Einstein 1 Platform at Salesforce she focuses on driving insights for: AI, Data, Automation, Developer & Admin Experiences, Analytics. Doing impactful work and building responsible tech & research fluency throughout organizations is what keeps her going. She currently lives in Alameda with her family of two dogs, one 12-year-old son and one husband. She loves new and emerging music, dance, yummy food, humid nights, and deep community connection.
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Sarah Jo has a limitless appetite for learning and approaches life with compassion, creativity, and optimism. With 10+ years of Learning and Development program management experience she is energized by connecting people and communities to opportunity and solutions to successfully reach their goals.
Before joining the LinkedIn's enablement team, she led job search training programs in San Francisco, and led professional development training programs for nonprofits. She is a proud member of LGBTQIA family, and a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging accomplice.
Are you interested in joining the WEAD board? Contact us to learn more.