Auburn Chamber of Commerce Celebrate the Community Awards: Culture – David and Coco Burns

The Burns family goes way back as part of the Auburn community. In 1884, when David's grandfather, Ernest William Burns, was 14 years old, he immigrated from Switzerland to the United States with his older brother. Ernest and his brother volunteered with the Auburn Hook and Ladder Company and, eventually, Ernest was a partner in the creation of the very popular "General Gomez" cigar business here in Auburn. David's father was Jerry Burns. Jerry was a pharmacist and, among other properties he owned in Auburn, Jerry owned the building located Downtown at 808 Lincoln Way. In 1995, after the longtime furniture store tenant vacated 808 Lincoln Way, some local artists approached Jerry about renting 808 to create a hub for Artists, Retail, Technology and Services – known by the acronym "ARTS." Jerry agreed and the vision came together as the new ARTS Building. Two years later, the Arts Council of Placer County (aka ACPC and PlacerArts) also found a home at 808 Lincoln Way. For 20 years, the ARTS Building at 808 Lincoln Way hosted exceptional art exhibits, cultural and music events – maybe you remember "Jazz at 808." There were individual artist studios in painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry-making and more, along with offices for nonprofit arts organizations, including the Auburn Symphony. But in 2015, PlacerArts needed to reduce its footprint in Auburn and they moved out of 808. By that time, Jerry was enjoying life with his longtime partner, Joanne Neft, and it was left to Jerry's children – Carolynn Basque, David and David's wife, Coco – to decide what to do with Downtown Auburn's anchor property at 808 Lincoln Way. Carolynn, David and Coco could have done many things with 808 Lincoln Way. They could have been run-of-the-mill landlords and rented out the building to anyone who was interested, or they could have divided it into smaller spaces to maximize the rental income, but David and Coco were not interested in being run-of-the-mill landlords ready to rent to all takers who may come and go – so that was not the choice the family made. Continuing the 20-year legacy of 808 Lincoln Way as a hub for arts and culture in Downtown Auburn, in 2015 the General Gomez Arts and Events Center was founded – named after Great Grandpa Ernest's "General Gomez" cigar business. David and Coco decided they would take on the task of running the operation, curating arts and cultural installations, providing space for community events and celebrations and expanding their support of local nonprofits that are essential to the Auburn community. In the last 10 years, the Gomez has been a home for more than 50 art exhibits showcasing hundreds of artists, hosted more than 15 live theater engagements, dozens of music concerts, including the locally produced Auburn City Limits concert series, provided space for numerous local nonprofit fundraising events, Tibetan sand mandala celebrations, collaboration and hosting of a Mexican Consulate art event and so much more, patronized by locals and art lovers from around the region. David and Coco Burns are carrying on what is now a 30-year legacy of 808 Lincoln Way as a center for arts and culture in Auburn, and it is still going strong as a result of their care and leadership and we thank them for their contribution to the vibrancy and vitality of our community.