From left, Shawntay Arroyo, Volunteer of the Year honoree Ron Ingram, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture Managing Director Abbie Cesena, and fellow Volunteer of the Year Bob Puliti celebrate their contributions during the 2025 Annual Membership Meeting at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture (YSAC) held its annual membership meeting June 25 at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts, drawing community members, artists and advocates together for an evening of celebration and reflection.

While the agenda included the usual board business, such as an update on the Sutter Theater’s Main Stage project and a report on the “State of the Arts” from Executive Director David Read, this year’s program centered on heartfelt recognition of community volunteers.

The event also included a free public concert by the nationally acclaimed Folias Duo, a flute-and-guitar ensemble composed of flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron. Blending elements of jazz, classical, flamenco, and world music.

The annual awards ceremony kicked off with a round of applause for Beverly Cameron-Fildes, who was named Volunteer of the Year for her tireless support of Center Stage Productions and Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture programs.

From left, Shawntay Arroyo, YSAC Arts in Education Manager, Volunteer of the Year Beverly Cameron-Fildes, and Abbie Cesena, YSAC Managing Director, pose for a photo during the 2025 Annual Membership Meeting at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

“She’s been a friend to the arts her entire life,” said Shawntay Arroyo, coordinator for Arts in Education of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture. “She spent her life creating through drawing, painting, clay, photography, and more. Even in her career as a language and speech pathologist, she used art as a tool to assist children and young adults with language difficulties.”

Cameron-Fildes has been a devoted behind-the-scenes contributor to Center Stage, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture’s resident youth theater company, led by her daughter Morgan Kersting and son-in-law Corey. From painting sets and crafting props, to decorating the center and even stamping envelopes, her work has touched nearly every aspect of the theater’s productions.

“Beverly is always happy to jump in and assist,” Arroyo said. “There’s only three of us working full-time, so her support means the world to us—not just her hard work, but her kindness when things got tough.”

Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture also awarded Volunteers of the Year honors to Ron Ingram and Bob Puliti, whose steadfast presence has become a fixture at theater events.

Managing Director Abbie Cesena recalled first meeting the pair in 2021 while searching for a realtor. Their fast friendship evolved into what she called “a package deal” of volunteer excellence.

“From the very beginning, they gave so much of themselves to our organization,” said Cesena. “Their partnership in both life and service is inspiring. They’re always among the first to step up, whether it’s tending bar, working concessions, fixing odds and ends, or simply offering moral support.”

The evening’s final tribute went to Susan Miller, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture Board President, who received the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. Miller was praised for her steady leadership and strategic vision, having played a pivotal role in the transition of the historic Sutter Theater into a thriving arts hub. She previously served as co-chair of the Sutter Performing Arts Association, which helped lay the groundwork for the theater’s modern reinvention before it was officially gifted to Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture in 2021.

“There’s a fine line between supporting nonprofit staff and overstepping, and Susan exemplifies what it means to be a strong, supportive and engaged board president,” said Read. “Her commitment inspires others to support and invest in what we do.”

This year’s board executive committee remains unchanged, as all members still have time remaining in their terms.

The current Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture leadership includes President Susan Miller, Vice President Tom Galvin, Secretary Narinder Dhaliwal and Treasurer Alondra Bains.

Following the business portion of the evening, attendees were treated to a vibrant concert by the Folias Duo, and the pair brought a fresh and intimate sound to the theater, closing out the event on a melodic high note.

For more information or to get involved with Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture, visit www.yubasutterarts.org or call 530-742-2787.