First City/Focus One Credit Union Provides Unique Opportunity for Local Artists

Opened seven years ago as a joint venture between what is now the First City Credit Union and the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts, this gallery provides yet another opportunity for both local artists to show and sell their work and Monrovians to see what is available.

“Initially, the idea was to provide something different for our customers,” Anna Recendez, the branch’s manager said. “How many credit unions have a gallery in their lobby?”

When asked about customer reactions, Recendez responded, “We get a lot of positive feedback.”

“Customers are always wandering around, looking and enjoying the art,” she added.

According to Recendez, they have never heard any negatives from visitors. 

Asked to elaborate on why it is important to First City to display local art, Recendez said "all art is creative work.”

“More and more people try to tell us what not to do,” Recendez said. “I think it’s sad that schools try to take away art. Children need to show their creativity.”

But what about that cow out front? Recendez laughed.

“That belongs to the building owners," she said. “I think it originally came from one of the owner’s grandfathers. They put it there after he passed away. Everyone laughs about it, but it does get us attention!” 

According to Bill Beebe, President of MAFA, the opportunity to have a gallery at Focus One was a key event in MAFA’s development.

“When Focus One was moving their corporate office to Monrovia, they immediately got into the Chamber of Commerce," Beebe said.  “At a Chamber meeting they spoke with someone about the possibility of hanging local art in their lobby. That Chamber member told Focus to contact MAFA and that's how we got involved. This started the ball rolling to getting MAFA ‘on the map’ as it were here in Monrovia.”

Before this, MAFA was only known in town as the group that did the art fair once a year.  

“That was the tipping point I believe in the recognition that MAFA is now getting." Beebe said. "Now we are seen as a resource to not only the Chamber but to the city leaders. It is really quite cool!” 

Currently, three artists are featured in the gallery. Mary Valentine, a digital photographer, Min Wang (who goes by Min W as her artist name), a water colorist born in China, and Elizabeth Jewell Butterfield, a multimedia artist who primarily uses layers of torn paper. 

“Local artists need a place to be allowed to put up their art,” Tami Murphy, a First City customer said. “I like it. Art is beautiful.”