The S.B. Questionnaire: Ginny Brush
On Art and Life with the Force Behind the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission
Have you ever noticed the pianos on State Street? Have you ever enjoyed First Thursdays in Santa Barbara?
If so, you can thank the tenacity of Ginny Brush, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission.
Under Brush’s tenure, several artistic initiatives and wonderful community-wide collaborations have flourished. Though soft-spoken, Ginny is so driven to make connections across the artistic canvas of our region that her voice is anything but weak. She’s made an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of our city.
She took time from championing artistic causes to answer the Proust Questionnaire.
What is it you like most about your job?
Working with individuals with passion and vision who are committed to making and keeping Santa Barbara authentically rich in arts, culture, and opportunities for community engagement. Oh yeah, and that I get paid.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Doing what you love in a place that you love with people who you love and care about.
What is your greatest fear?
Not making a difference.
Who do you most admire?
People who have vision and focus and are not distracted or deterred by obstacles and have the ability to inspire others.
What is your greatest extravaganza?
A month in the summer at our cottage in the Canadian woods of Northern Ontario with my partner and our dog.
What is your current state of mind?
Optimistic.
What is the quality you most like in people?
Honesty combined with commitment.
What is the quality you most dislike in people?
Self-serving motivation and people who are mean.
What do you most value in friends?
Honesty, loyalty, and a good sense of humor.
What is your most marked characteristic?
A sense of humor in the face of adversity.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Collaboration.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be an accomplished musician.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be more athletic, and great at fly-fishing.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Sorry, I’m a late bloomer… still working on it.
Where would you most like to live?
Besides Santa Barbara, Italy and Mexico.
What is your most treasured possession?
Our lakeside cottage with a canoe in Canada.
Who makes you laugh the most?
Stephen Colbert.
What is your motto?
It takes a village.
