VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Victor Valley College (VVC) will host a dynamic Fine Arts, Animation and Music Experience on Friday, May 1, 2026, bringing together internationally recognized professionals from the worlds of music, fine arts, animation, television, film, and digital media for a full day of panels, workshops, live performances, and community engagement.
The festival will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public, welcoming Victor Valley College students, local high school students, creatives, and members of the High Desert community.
The event will kick off with two industry panels, beginning with a Music Industry Panel featuring an impressive lineup of accomplished professionals.
Headlining the panel is Damon Sharpe, a world-renowned music producer and recording artist responsible for some of the most recognizable hits in modern music, including Jennifer Lopez’s “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” and Ariana Grande’s “Pink Champagne.” Sharpe has amassed more than 4.5 billion streams as a producer and over 100 million streams as a recording artist, and will discuss his career, creative process, and path to success in the music industry.
Also joining the panel is Sam Prince an Apple Valley High School alumnus and award-winning Lead Editor at Naughty Dog, one of the most influential video game studios in the world. Sam has played a key role in major titles including The Last of Us and Uncharted and will share insights into the world of video game animation and storytelling.
Local filmmaker and TikTok influencer Clay Lacey, a Granite Hills High School alumnus, will also participate. Lacey has been mentored by award-winning filmmakers The Russo Brothers (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame) and currently boasts nearly 2 million followers and more than 20 million likes across his social media platforms. Clay’s most well-known videos on his social channels include his series “Scariest Things Police Have Seen” which has racked up more than 90 million views worldwide.
Rounding out the panel is Euro Zambrano, a multi–Latin Grammy Award nominee known for touring with legendary artists Stevie Wonder and 10x Grammy winner Chaka Khan during 2022–2023. Zambrano will discuss his experiences working at the highest levels of the music industry.
Recently added to the panel is Victor Valley College faculty member Thomas Surprenant, an Emmy Award–winning makeup artist whose work helped bring to life some of the most iconic characters in the Star Trek franchise throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.Thomas also worked on the popular teen series Buffy: The Vampire Slayer in the early 2000s as well as big blockbuster movies like Pirates of The Caribbean, Batman Returns, & How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
In the realm of fine arts, the festival will also spotlight Theresa Shellcroft, a long-time VVC faculty member whose artwork has been featured at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., highlighting the exceptional talent within Victor Valley College’s own faculty.
Following the panels, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in in-depth, hands-on workshops focusing on screenwriting, painting, music, animation, and more, allowing students and community members to engage directly with industry professionals.
The festival will also feature live music mini-concerts showcasing some of the youngest and most exciting bands in the High Desert, courtesy of Rockstars of Tomorrow – Hesperia. Southern California radio personality DJ Toro will be spinning music throughout the event, and several local food trucks will be on-site with food available for purchase.
The Music and Fine Arts Festival is part of Victor Valley College’s ongoing commitment to creative education, career exploration, and community engagement.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, May 1, 2026
- Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Music Panel at 10:00am
- Film, Animation and Arts Panel at 11:00am
- Location: Victor Valley College
- Cost: Free and open to the public
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