Welcome to Joan Sullivan

As a writer for several San Luis Obispo County newspapers and magazines, Joan Sullivan wrote about San Luis Obispo County history in her column Picture the Past. She featured local artists in ArtSeen, the longest running column (1989 - 2007) in The Bay News and SLO City News.

Sullivan desk-top published several books from her history columns that are available at the San Luis Obispo County Historical Society Museum, 696 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo and Volumes of Pleasure Bookshop, 1016 Los Osos Valley Road in Los Osos The videos are also available at the Local History Audio Video Department of the City-County Library. The books can be researched in the Reference Department of the City-County Library, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.

As a filmmaker, Sullivan videotapes San Luis Obispo County history for PICTURE THE PAST PRODUCTIONS, A series of historical documentaries…and History in the making. The monthly one-hour show is aired on Charter Communications, Channel 2, Public Access Television: Tuesday 7:30 p.m., Wednesday 2:00 p.m., and Thursday 8:00 a.m.

Earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida; a California Life Teaching credential - Elementary Level, from California State University at Northridge and a Community Services Credential from Cuesta College, Sullivan created her own art classes. She taught children and adults through the San Luis Unified School District (Adult Education Division), the San Luis Obispo Art Center, Cuesta College Community Services, and the San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay Recreation and Parks Departments from 1973 to 1983.