Alma Sagrada: Cultivando Ritmos Naturales
Sacred Soul: Cultivating Natural Rhythms
Curators: Ome Garcia, Ana Paula Teeple, and Josefina Rocha
Exhibit Dates: April 6 – May 22, 2022
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 10, 2022 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Featured Artists: Natalia Anciso – Abi Mustapha – José Ortiz – Hermelinda Vasquez
Invited Artists: Guillermo G. Aranda – Raymond Arredondo – Emmelie Avila – Shinehah Bigham – Graciela Vega Cendejas – Linda Cover – Sahar El Khatib – Sid Enck Jr – Stacy Frank – Ome Garcia – Yolanda Guererra – Bridget Henry – Rosa Hernández – Paola Inclan – Alexandria Jean-James – Carina King – Carmen León – Leslie Lopez – Carla Macal – Jose Medina – Amara Miller – Chris Boggan Miroyan – Isa Moreno – Devi Pride – Eva Quintero – Jennifer Wildermuth Reyes – Lauren Ringelman – Andre Rosenzweig-Rivas – Josefina Rocha – Jaime Sánchez – Cristina Sayers – Martha Schwanbeck – Sea Sevilla – Joel Michael Smith – Ana Paula Teeple – Alejandro Valle – Jasmin C. Vega – Susanna Waddell
Connect through Alma Sagrada: Cultivando Ritmos Naturales, an art exhibit at Pajaro Valley Arts in Watsonville, CA. It is our responsibility to acknowledge our past and current relationship with the land we occupy as a way to learn about and help revitalize its sacred systems, as well as our own vitality, and the vitality of our communities.
We recognize this land has been heedlessly stripped of its natural inhabitants through colonization, exploitation, and industrialization. For generations, all of us, regardless of personal origin and history, have been affected by this devastation and we can no longer ignore our collective responsibility to heal from this cycle of trauma.
We have witnessed the resulting imbalance and disease within our soil and water, air and fire. These sacred systems are not separate from us; the soil is our body, the water is our blood, the air is our breath, and the fire is our spirit; we mirror each other in a cosmic dance of symbiotic reciprocity.
Join us in reflecting on and reimagining our sacred and righteous relations with ourselves, our ancestors, each other, and all sacred life-giving systems. By honoring Indigenous stewardship, by learning environmental justice practices, and by embracing the joy, health, and abundance that comes with inter-connectedness.
Exhibit Themes:
-
Culturally and Historically Relevant Relations with the Natural World
-
Indigenous Sovereignty, Land Protection, and Environmental Stewardship
-
Healthy and Sustainable Water, Soil, Energy, and Food Systems
-
Healing within Ourselves, Our Communities, and Sacred Life Systems
Programs and Events:
“Protect the Sacred” Poster Contest
An Indigenous and environmental justice themed visual arts contest for middle and high school students in the Watsonville Area with a chance to win a $50 gift card and have their artwork included in the Alma Sagrada: Cultivando Ritmos Naturales art exhibition at Pajaro Valley Arts from April 7 – May 22, 2022. In partnership with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, curriculum associated with the local Protect Juristac movement is available for teachers and mentors supporting student participation.
View a slideshow of poster content entries»
Teacher Open House: Wednesday, April 20th 3:30 – 5:30pm at Pajaro Valley Arts
Our first annual Teacher Open House welcomes local teachers to learn about Pajaro Valley Arts upcoming exhibitions and schedule class tours for the year ahead. This year’s open house will feature a presentation by the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band sharing their Protect Juristac curriculum, an entirely customizable set of lesson plans that have been developed to support teachers in educating students of all ages. Participation is free; event will take place outdoors; refreshments will be provided
Meet the Authors / Author & Editor Panel: Saturday, April 9th 6:00-8:00pm on Zoom
A virtual panel discussion with Stan Rushworth and Dahr Jamail, co-editors of the newly released book, We Are the Middle of Forever: Indigenous Voices from Turtle Island on the Changing Earth. More info coming soon!
Community Opening Reception: Sunday, April 10th 1:00 – 4:00 pm at Pajaro Valley Arts
A family-friendly welcome reception and celebration open to all community members. Delicious food, live music, an environmental justice resource fair, and interactive art activities will be available. Participation is free; more info coming soon!
Meet the Artists / Art Salon: Wednesday, April 13th 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom
A virtual presentation by three of our featured artists (Jose Ortiz, Natalia Anciso, and Abi Mustapha) followed by Q & A session with community members. Our Art Salons take place every few months, and are fascinating opportunities to learn more about local artists’ creative journeys and upcoming projects.
Mother’s Day Paint & Sip: Sunday, May 8th 1pm-4pm, PVA Backyard
A bilingual acrylic painting session led by Josefina Rocha & Ome the Artist.
More information & tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-day-paint-and-sip-dia-de-la-madre-pintar-y-beber-tickets-322195534517
Book Discussion: Wednesday, May 11th 6:30 – 8:30pm on Zoom
A collaborative reading and virtual discussion of the book We Are the Middle of Forever: Indigenous Voices from Turtle Island on the Changing Earth, edited by Dahr Jamail and Stan Rushworth. This exciting new book release is a powerful, intimate collection of conversations with Indigenous Americans on the climate crisis and the Earth’s future. Participation is free; pre-registration is required; https://us02web.zoom.us/
Earth Justice Poetry Reading: Saturday, May 21st 1:00 – 3:00pm at Pajaro Valley Arts
Join us for an afternoon of earth-themed poetry in the garden. All poets and poetry lovers are welcome! Participation is free and refreshments will be provided. More information: https://pvarts.org/dev/event/earth-justice-poetry-reading/
