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The Comings, Goings and Passings in 2023

Writer's picture: Culture OC StaffCulture OC Staff

Updated: Jan 1, 2024

TOP ROW: From left, Jodie Gates, Seán O’Harrow, Andrew Brown, Carlos Salgado and Carl St.Clair. BOTTOM ROW: Susan Brooker, David Ellenstein, Jerry Mandel, Amy Behrens and Richard Bryant. Photo collage by Heide Janssen, Culture OC
 

The last 12 months were filled with significant changes to the cultural scene in Orange County. Several major arts institutions said goodbye to their leaders and started the challenging search for a successor – the biggest changing of the guard since 2018. Other arts groups welcomed new leaders. Talented chefs departed, at least temporarily. And we lost some of our most enduring and beloved artists and chroniclers of the arts in 2023. Let’s look at a few of the year’s biggest transitions.


Leaving