The Arts Consortium’s Artist of the Year designation began as a symbolic recognition of an artist’s contribution to our organization. As the Arts Consortium has evolved, so has this distinction.
To be considered for the Artist of the Year designation, an artist must demonstrate excellence in their artistic discipline, strive to make the arts accessible, educate the general public about the arts, act as a mentor to new artists in our community and show their commitment to the arts.

When Rosalinda Verde Alexander returned to Visalia after discovering her passion for opera at University, she felt a spark of inspiration to start the Visalia Opera Company. With no clear roadmap to make it happen, she turned to the Arts Consortium for guidance.

“I want to pay homage to the Arts Consortium,” she said. “Without their guidance and a lot of help, the idea would never have blossomed.”

Starting in 2010, Rosalinda birthed the Visalia Opera Company with several, “Taste of Operas” (including the one where Mozart himself popped out of his coffin to explain his music) and then produced four full-fledged operas, including a mariachi opera she wrote herself.

Now a well-known singer of everything from rock ‘n roll to mariachi to opera, Rosalinda has performed everywhere from Crawdaddy’s with her band, The P.I.M.s, to the Sequoia Symphony, she has produced plays with developmentally delayed adults at the Creative Center, hosted Live at 5 performances from her living room she dubbed, “The Monte Carlo”, and started her own non-profit to support the arts.

She has gained valuable experience and built numerous connections through her various projects. Recently, she was appointed as the Executive Director of the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, following her successful stint as their live social media correspondent where she held interviews that highlighted several local TKHCC memberbusinesses.

“The Hispanic Chamber is here to solve problems in the business world, bridging gaps and thinking innovatively so we can be stronger together,” Rosalinda said.

She also believes that the arts have a vital role to play. “I envision a place in the business sector where artists have a voice. Art is a business, and we should treat it as such, recognizing and valuing its importance.”

COVID Created Art

Rosalinda created the Tree House at Camp Alexander during COVID times, in conjunction with her “Live at 5s from the Monte Carlo”. Rosalinda hosted the improv show where her students of the Creative Center came to play, imagine, and remain sane from the lockdowns. “The special needs community was severely locked up during the pandemic, living in government funded homes meant they could never take off their masks.” Her husband and co-conspirator, Tyler, edited the first episodes, capturing the magic as her students and special guests, including Jamie “Frank Sinatra” Hitchcock, performed from inside of a tree house.

Everyone helped create a fantastical world on video, inspiring the audience to use their imagination to fight off the darkness with their coined, “Prayer of Protection”.

“The Prayer of Protection is a big deal” says Rosalinda. “It was written by autistic actor, Josiah Banks for the character Zevina. He improved the prayer live on camera, and it stuck. Green Rose Productions says it every time it has a meeting, a rehearsal, or a performance. “Sometimes we call each other on the phone and ask to do it together when we are nervous about something. It really works.”

The first hosts of the Magic Treehouse show were the magical alpaca, Zevina, of Peru (played by Josiah Banks) and the squid Cal A. Mari (played by Cory Janca) and Rosalinda as the host. Later on, they worked a villain into their plot, the great and terrible Sea Witch named Monosula (played by actress Elizabeth Flood).

Environmental Grant

Earlier this year, Rosalinda Alexander secured a California Arts Council grant to create art that would not only boost the valley›s health index but also stimulate the local economy by supporting artists. With this mission in mind, Rosalinda and her team brainstormed ideas and envisioned a project that would rise to the challenge. Their proposal? To transform an episode of “The Magic Treehouse at Camp Alexander” into a full-scale musical—a project designed to inspire and uplift the community while showcasing the incredible talent of local artists.

She rallied all her contacts to bring this ambitious show, “The Revenge of the Sea Witch/La Venganza de la Bruja del Mar” to life, with performances in Visalia, Lemoore, and Lindsay. Audiences were taken on a thrilling journey, learning about alternative energy sources like nuclear and hydrogen, the vital role of beavers, the power of speaking up at council meetings, the importance of self-accountability, regenerative farming practices, and the preservation of clean water sources. “There’s a lot packed into this show,” Rosalinda laughs.

But the excitement didn’t stop there. Alongside the wicked Sea Witch, the real menace was S.M.U.D.D., the Smelly Uranium Dumpster Devil—a villain made of litter and toxic ooze, determined to destroy the Central Valley.

“SMUDD was created by all of you,” Ninyani Sasquatch warns the audience. The original SMUDD theme song was rapped by actress Sarah Johnson. All the music in the show was original, written, sung and played by talented Central Valley musicians.

“I was thrilled to collaborate with Carlos Rodriguez of the band Mezcal,” Rosalinda shared. “We crafted the songs in his studio, guided by his expert ear. Thanks to the grant, we were able to professionally record the tracks at Hendrickson Studios with Jonathan Hendrickson and his top-tier team.”

Green Rose Productions

Through her nonprofit, Green Rose Productions—named as a clever nod to her name, “Rose” and “Verde” (which means green in Spanish)—Rosalinda has ambitious plans. She’s gearing up to launch “The Magic Treehouse at Camp Alexander” and produce an 8-episode pilot for the show. “I like to think of it as a blend of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ ‘Pee-wee’s Playhouse,’ ‘Selena y Los Dinos,’ and the boundless imagination of artists with specialneeds,” Rosalinda says with excitement.

“Through the treehouse portal we can go anywhere, to any timeline, dimension or subject…like go to a mariachi concert, listen to an opera or visit another planet. We also plan to launch The Land of Creation- which is where the Magic Treehouse resides- within a virtual reality world.

Green Rose Productions’ next event is their annual Day of the Dead celebration at the Visalia Mausoleum on Saturday, November 2nd. “I’ve found great healing in honoring those who have passed,” Rosalinda shares. “I love our Central Valley history, and we hold this event each year to celebrate the lives of those we loved. In Hispanic culture, this celebration is a true invitation to connect with the other side of the veil.”

This year’s Day of the Dead event will feature a drum circle, sound healing, art, delicious food, and a ceremony to honor the ancestors with live singers and musicians. Guests are encouraged to come dressed up and join the celebration.

IG/FB: greenroseproductions.usa, @rosalindaverdealexander

Artist profile can be found in the 2024-2025 edition of the WATERMARK magazine