Culture OC Team Earns 17 Honors at the 2026 OC Press Club Awards

Culture OC's reporting was recognized with top honors from the Orange County Press Club, bringing home 15 awards for our arts and culture journalism.

Culture OC continues to distinguish itself in Orange County journalism, capturing 17 awards at the Orange County Press Club’s 2026 Excellence in Journalism Awards, presented June 17.

The annual ceremony, which celebrates outstanding local reporting, once again recognized our nonprofit newsroom’s commitment to covering the region’s arts and culture scene.

Joel Beers took home two first place awards — one for his O.C. by Metrolink series and one for his profile on Nate Jackson. Advisory Board member Christopher Trela was awarded the Sky Dunlap Award which “honors someone for lifetime achievement and community service” and is considered the club’s highest honor.

Awards spanned categories including feature writing, series writing, critical reviews, photography, media, profiles and roundups, reflecting the range of storytelling our contributors bring to their work each year.

We’re also proud to celebrate our contributors who were recognized for work published elsewhere. In addition to honors earned for Culture OC stories, Richard Chang, Edwin Goei, Laila Freeman, Jessica Peralta, Paul Rodriguez and Shawn Price — along with board member Christopher Trela — received awards for work written for other outlets.

All honorees are listed below. For the complete list of winners, visit the OC Press Club website.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: It’s truly an art form to tell an individual’s story in a way that says something so huge about our common humanity, both the awe-inspiring ways individuals can add to the world’s tapestry and the unconscious prejudices that would seek to nullify it.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Beguiling writing.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: An interesting look at how two former California State University-Long Beach art students are several years later having their works featured in exhibitions at the university’s contemporary art museum.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: The creator turns what could have been a long, overwrought video into fun and accessible piece that gives the audience a glimpse at fine dining.

2nd PLACE,  Timothy Mangan, Classical Music

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Mangan is a gem. His vast knowledge of classical music infuses his work and effortlessly educates readers while providing vital criticism. His reviews of concerts puts readers in the venue and makes one want to learn more–and by “one,” I do mean this judge because I paused multiple times during judging to look up performances because I was so curious to learn more! This is smart work from a refreshingly unique voice.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: This piece showcased solid interviewing skills and writing that gave the reader a real feel for what River Ridge Ranch is like. Richard did a really nice job building up the program in a way that would compel students (and maybe this judge) to do research there.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Charming, fun to read and wonderfully described a curious restaurant/chain. Excellent stuff.

1st PLACE,  Joel Beers, O.C. by Metrolink

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Clever and engaging way to highlight local history, the success/failure of urban planning, the joys of architecture and the struggle to get people out of their cars. So much going on here.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: I can feel the writer’s admiration throughout this review. The thoughtful word choice and rich imagery elevated the review and provided sophistication that mirrored the caliber of performance being reviewed.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: A fascinating look at the history of Orange County’s punk music scene.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: The story was so interesting, I really want to see this guy play.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Terrific story with great detail on the ability of search dogs and the training they receive. Well-written and engaging.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: : Good in-the-classroom reporting on a program to get more students into the teaching profession

3rd PLACE,  Paul Rodriguez, Celebration, photographed for The Orange County Register

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Well illustrated with a flair for the subject being profiled.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Well documented and comprehensive profile.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Unique search for Orange County’s best Tamales. Great cross section of places to get tamales accompanied by great art.

3rd PLACE,  Richard Chang, Paul Hodgins, Heide Janssen, Timothy Mangan, Eric Marchese, Anne Marie Panoringan, Jessica Peralta, Ashley Ryan, Kaitlin Wright, Culture OC Writers Reveal Their 2025 Arts and Culture Summer Picks

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: A great look at the variety of Art and Culture available to readers.

2nd PLACE,  Paul Rodriguez, On the Nose, photographed for The Orange County Register

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: This exceptional entry does a good job of utilizing the multimedia format to capture the enduring legacy of this unique production of “Night of the Living Dead.†The written narrative is engaging, but the entry truly excels by integrating a well-produced video segment where excellent interviews effectively bring the atmosphere of the Maverick Theater to life. By seamlessly combining evocative text, video and photography, this piece sets the standard in this award category for how to execute multifaceted storytelling through multimedia.

1st PLACE,  Shawn Price (with Eddie Monahan), Haunted Carwash 2025, written for Halloween Every Night

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Very creative video work! Well done!

2nd PLACE,  Shawn Price (with Maya Epstein), “Poe-Etique” 2025, written for Halloween Every Night

2026 HONOREE,  Christopher Trela, Advisory Board Member

The Sky Dunlap Award is the Orange County Press Club’s highest honor. The award is given out at the annual awards gala and honors someone for lifetime achievement and community service.

FROM THE OC PRESS CLUB: “Christopher Trela was awarded the Sky Dunlap Award, the Press Club's highest honor, recognizing lifetime achievement and community service. Trela is an award-winning journalist, photographer, public relations professional, and educator whose work has helped shape Orange County's media, arts, and cultural landscape for more than three decades. A former president of the Orange County Press Club, he has earned numerous honors through the club's annual Excellence in Journalism Awards and has published more than 3,000 articles and columns covering arts, culture, business, food, travel, and community issues. He currently serves as Lifestyle Editor for the Newport Beach Independent and Executive Dining Columnist for the Orange County Business Journal.

“Beyond journalism, Trela has made significant contributions to the community through arts advocacy, education, and nonprofit leadership. He teaches public relations at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts; leads ArtsPR, a consulting firm serving arts organizations; and serves on several local nonprofit boards, including the Newport Beach Film Festival and Culture OC. A former Newport Beach Arts Commissioner and co-founder of New Voices Playwrights Workshop, Trela has dedicated his career to supporting the arts, mentoring future communicators, and strengthening Orange County's cultural community.”