California Missions Foundation Dinner Welcomes Consul General of Spain

On Thursday, April 24, David Bolton, Executive Director of the California Missions Foundation (CMF) held a private soirée at the El Presidio Real de Santa Bárbara to honor the CMF’s grant recipients, and to welcome Gerardo Fueyo Bros – Consul General of Spain in Los Angeles with jurisdiction in Southern California and the States of Arizona, Colorado, and Utah.

The event began with a red-carpet welcome, a photograph with Bolton, and a wine reception in the back courtyard, followed by a formal candlelight dinner in the Chapel. 

In his welcome address, Bolton acknowledged the honorees for their contributions to and preservation of Spanish history in the area. He especially welcomed Gerardo Fueyo Bros and his wife Maria Teresa; and special guests Susan and Palmer Jackson Jr. of the Ann Jackson Family Foundation; Aida Thau, Deputy Chief for First District Supervisor Roy Lee; Michael Imwalle, Associate Executive Director of Cultural Resources at SBTrust for Historic Preservation; and Sharon Bradford, Trustee at the SB Museum of Natural History. He thanked the event host committee of Lina and John Paul Beltran; Dorian Belmonte, Director of Administration and Development for the CMF; Louise and Tim Casey; Dacia and Riley Harwood; Mari and Patrick McAlister; Holly and Robert Murphy; and Gonzalo Sarmiento.

The CMF grant recipients were Casa del Herrero, Montecito; El Presidio de Santa Barbara Old Mission Santa Barbara; Old Mission Santa Ynez and the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. Representing their organizations were Heather Biles and Elizabeth Esrey past and current Board of Trustee Presidents for Casa del Herrero; Father Joe Schwab, OFM,President Old Mission SB; Father Michael Ronayne, OFM, Cap./Pastorfor Old Mission SY; and Dacia Harwoodand her husband Riley for the SB Historical Museum.

After the acknowledgments, Bolton asked guests to please stand and face the U.S. and Spanish flags hanging from the balcony. He mentioned that this particular U.S. flag was displayed when Bolton’s husband Sarmiento became a U.S. Citizen – a treasured memento Bolton received from Congressman Carbajal. National Anthems to both countries were sung. He concluded his address saying that the celebration this evening coincided with the founding of the Santa Barbara Royal Presidio on April 21, 1782 – the last in a chain of four military fortresses built by the Spanish along the coast of Alta California, then the frontier of New Spain. Padre Junípero Serra, a Spanish Franciscan friar and missionary, founded 21 California missions, but only blessed the site of the Royal Presidio. 

Bolton introduced SB Mayor Randy Rowse, who echoed Bolton’s thanks of the honorees and guests, and welcomed Gerardo Fueyo Bros, Consul General of Spain. He presented a gift to Bros.

Next, Gerardo Fueyo Bros provided an in-depth speech about Spain’s history and its continued influence in – and alliance with – the United States, saying, “I express gratitude from my country for preserving its heritage here [in Santa Barbara]. The Spanish were the first to arrive in the U.S. hundreds of years ago. Spain founded the Royal Presidio of Santa Barbara roughly 250 years ago, and many parts of this area remind me of Andalucía. Spanish pioneers faced the unknown and explored horizons. The Spanish legacy in SB and California are found in astronomy [this was by the bequeathing of properties and buildings for observatories, such as the Griffith Observatory], and in the flora and fauna [they brought here from Spain]. Let’s welcome everyone of all nations and cultures, and our shared values of freedom and friendship. Let us raise a toast now to our good relationship.” With that all raised their glass for the toast.

Bolton introduced Italian composer and pianist Antonio Artese who performed selected works that paired with each course of the dinner. Chef Humberto Perez created and paired each course of the dinner with a floral perfume sachet and wine.  

411: https://californiamissionsfoundation.org/