Photo by Andrej Lišakov on UnsplashJoin us for an engaging panel with The Wende Museum, The Huntington & Museum Of Latin American Art moderated by @folk.lounge, to explore how the public can access and engage with LA's rich archival treasures.
As both an artist and community member, moderator Shagane Barsegian also known as Shagho (she/her) will guide a conversation exploring how these institutions are reimagining their archives as dynamic public resources rather than closed repositories. Panelists will share initiatives that bridge the gap between institutional collections and community access, discuss how changing urban dynamics are reshaping their missions, and offer practical guidance for artists, teachers, students, and curious citizens on navigating these cultural goldmines.
From surprising recent discoveries to upcoming digitization projects, the panel will illuminate pathways for meaningful engagement with our shared cultural heritage and inspire attendees to become active participants in preserving and interpreting LA's history.
Panel
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Cara is an artist and arts advocate based in Los Angeles. Formerly one of the founding directors of Bridge Projects, a curatorial platform fostering interdisciplinary explorations between contemporary art, spirituality, and religious traditions, Cara is now Deputy Director of the Wende Museum. These two posts demonstrate Cara’s long-time interests in human rights issues and world's religions. Having started her career in the arts at Fraenkel Gallery in San Francisco in 2002 and completed her Master's degree in Curatorial Practice from the California College of the Arts in 2007, Cara has been supporting artists for over 20 years.
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Anne Blecksmith is Associate Director of the Library and Head of Reader Services at The Huntington, where she leads user-centered services and strategic initiatives that enhance access and engagement. Before joining The Huntington, Anne served as Head of Digital Services at the Getty Research Institute, where she led digitization initiatives and developed expertise in digital project management. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Drexel University.
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Solimar Salas (she/her) is the Deputy Director of the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) and brings over 25 years of experience in the museum field. At MOLAA, her leadership spans communications, digital strategy, fundraising efforts, and business development, including the successful restructuring of the museum’s retail operations. She spearheaded 2020 MOLAA en Casa, a digital initiative that extended the museum’s educational reach during remote learning, and previously led the creation of a bilingual artist database at the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Solimar currently serves as President of the Board of the California Association of Museums (2024–2026) and is active in several civic and professional advisory boards. Her national contributions include roles with IMLS, AAM, and the Smithsonian. She holds an MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University, an MBA in Information Systems, and a BA in Biological Anthropology from Swarthmore College.
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Shagane Barsegian (Shagho) is a multidisciplinary design leader, artist, and cultural practitioner who works at the frontiers of innovation and community. As founder and CEO of Venice Vale, a Los Angeles-based brand and product design studio, she specializes in human-centered design with decade-plus experience including VP of Design at Zonda and work with R/GA and Hot Studio. As founder and CEO of Folk Lounge, she facilitates cultural programming to study the grammar of ornament known for Embroidery Socials across LA parks to explore how traditional craft practices foster community, continue cultural preservation in contemporary urban settings, connect us with land and encourage being. She speaks on technology, creativity, and human connection. Born in Vladivostok, Russia, of Armenian and Russian heritage, she holds an MFA in Human-Computer Interaction from California College of the Arts and is a fellow at UC Berkeley's Democracy & Belonging Forum.
The LA Design Festival is the premier citywide celebration of design in all its forms — a dynamic, multidisciplinary experience that illuminates the intersections of culture, creativity, and community in Los Angeles. Our tent pole event takes form over the course of a four day festival where we experience studio tours, panel discussions, salons, curated exhibits and installations, gallery shows, and a block party. Throughout the year LADF hosts community events and programming that brings Los Angeles' creative community together for growth, connection, and conversation.
* Explore the LA Design Festival website to learn more about new events, tours and salons!