Polish American Cultural NetworkPromote and propagate Polish culture and traditions
by Gene Harubin Zygmont
The Polish American Cultural Network (PACN) was organized in June, 1982 as a nonprofit, nonpolitical, nondenominational and nonethnic organization, whose goals were to promote and propagate Polish culture and traditions. The Charter Board of Directors consisted of:
Halina Gawlinska, President; Christine Sierko, Vice President; Gene H. Zygmont, Vice-President; Wanda Moore (Bears), Treasurer; Artur Zygmont, Secretary.To effectively reach the widespread Southern California geographical area, the PACN began publishing a quarterly newsletter and a Master Calendar of Events. The newsletter, Polish Cultural News edited by Artur Zygmont, recorded major Polish cultural and organizational events, reviewed books, plays, and concerts and printed other items of interest to Polish Americans and their friends. The Master Calendar of Events apprises members of cultural and organizational events. The PACN also organized exhibitions aimed at the American sector.
The first large scale exhibition mounted by the PACN was on view from October, 1993 through January, 1994, at the Center Street School Art Gallery, El Segundo. Conceived by Henrietta Simons, a teacher at the school and curated by Gene H. Zygmont, it was designed to teach children how to think creatively by using toys, folk art and posters by Polish artists as visual guides. It was organized under the auspices of the El Segundo School District and, as part of their school curriculum, 800 children were given in-depth tours by PACN trained docents. A Gala opening ceremony, featuring Polish dances, songs, and food, was attended by students, their families, teachers and other community residents and was underwritten by the PACN.
During June, 1984, the PACN in conjunction with the Polish University Club, presented an exhibition of Polish posters and folk art at the Whittier Library. The following month, the PACN joined other ethnic groups in a Festival of Masks to celebrate the Olympic Games. A concert of Central and East European music, featuring PACN member Janice Foy, cellist, was sponsored by the PACN and held at the Brand Library in Glendale in December.
The PACN also participated in a Slavic Celebration, sponsored by the Center for Comparative Folklore and Mythology at UCLA in May, 1986. The group mounted an exhibition of art and folk art, presented films, videos, Polish folk dancing, story telling, music and food. George K. Cybulski, chair, was aided by: Akiko Cybulski, Ewa Rowinski, Arthur Cybulski, Rebecca Simons (Benard), Mietek Dutkowski, Christine Sierko, Janice Foy, Michael Pujdak, Justin Rowinski and Gene H. Zygmont.
Beginning in 1987, the PACN has sponsored mini-exhibitions at university and public libraries and other venues throughout Southern California. These focused on Polish - American history and Polish contributions to the humanities, arts and sciences. Between 1987-1993, a total of 35 exhibitions were organized and mounted. Curators include: Lucy Borik, Eugenia Kaminski, Edna Kuhta, Ted Ladewski, Irene Keliner, Florence Swait, Helen Rogal, Leon C. Walling, Marge and Len Zielenski and Ann Hagerty. PACN has also donated 85 copies of the W.S. Kuniczak translation of Sienkiewicz's Trilogy to area libraries to acquaint readers with Polish literature.
In 1993, the PACN sponsored an exhibition of Polish amber jewelry and wood sculpture at the Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Los Angeles. This exhibition featured the work of Edna Kuhta, jewelry designer and Dorek Rusin, sculptor.
The PACN is justifiably proud of its achievements in the short span of a decade and is looking ahead to many more years of growth and service.
The current Board of Directors includes: Gene H. Zygmont, President; George K. Cybulski, Vice President; Wanda Bears, Treasurer; Lucy Borik, Secretary; Marta Szumanski - Smokowicz, Financial Secretary; Artur Zygmont, Newsletter Editor and Akiko Cybulski, Master Calendar Editor.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.