3 EXHIBITS at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz: Lesha Maria Rodriguez- Oaxaca; Marciano “Chango” Cruz- paintings; CosechArte – An Image Without Immigrants
Did you miss our June 1 First Friday? Not to worry, the exhibit is up until July 11!
EXHIBIT DATES: June 1 – July 11, 2018. EXHIBIT HOURS: M-Th Noon-4pm and by appointment
featuring
Lesha Maria Rodriguez:
Oaxaca
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Day of the Dead
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Lumen Prints
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Marciano “Chango” Cruz:
paintings, drawings and surfboards
CosechArte: An Image Without Immigrants
Poetry and photography highlighting the lives and contributions of undocumented people in our communities.
DETAILS:
Lesha Maria Rodriguez:
Oaxaca
Artist Statement:
This body of work represents two distinct projects
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Day of the Dead
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Lumen Prints
The Day of the Dead project started in 2006 and has continued for 12 years exploring the remembrance of family and exploration of tradition. The Lumen print project started in 2009 discovering my connection to the land focusing on native and indigenous plants well combining Mixtec and other Mexican Codices. Each time I visit Oaxaca I explore new and different techniques pushing photography boundaries and techniques.
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Marciano “Chango” Cruz: paintings, drawings and surfboards
Self-taught artist Marciano Cruz was born in Oaxaca, Mexico and has lived in Santa Cruz since the late 1970’s. Inspired by the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Mayan calendar and his Oaxacan heritage, Marciano’s work includes hand-painted surfboards, acrylic paintings, pen and ink drawings and sculptures. He has also painted several local murals.
Marciano has dedicated over two decades of his life to helping others. He is a community activist, father, mentor, soccer coach, surfer, landscaper, tattoo artist, and teacher. Marciano served on the staff of the Resource Center for Nonviolence for several years and has coordinated La Liga De La Comunidad, an all-ages soccer league since the 1980’s. The Beach Flats Community Garden and Kids Club began with the vision and dedication of Marciano and his friends.
“Water is an extension of life,” says Cruz. “I believe the water heals the mind and spirit, and it allows me to help people as much as I can. It gave me the strength to be able to survive; to allow me the stability to help my family and help my community. To share this gift with the children of our community is a blessing.”
Cruz’s many community efforts led the City of Santa Cruz to proclaim May 12 “Marciano Cruz Day” in 2008. “I know it’s hard to change everyone, but this is the philosophy I live by: if you help just one person in this world, that person can help others,” Cruz says. “The idea is to keep guiding, to keep encouraging others to be positive and do positive things in society around us—that’s what keeps me going.”
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CosechArte: An Image Without Immigrants
Description:
CosechArte: An Image Without Immigrants is an exhibit focused on highlighting the lives and contributions of undocumented people in our communities. Through poetry and photography, the curated selection of work circulates around a crucial question of the present moment: What role do undocumented people play into our daily lives? Entire communities are under attack and in times like now, art can be the vital blood that keeps our fists up in solidarity. As Gloria E. Anzaldúa once wrote, “Though we tremble before uncertain futures, may we meet illness, death, and adversity with strength. May we dance in the face of our fears.” In this month-long exhibit of celebratory art, we invite visitors to experience the art as their own life, for it is our communities that nurture greatness.
CosechArte: An Image Without Immigrants is organized by Movimiento Cosecha, a national nonviolent movement devoted to winning permanent protection, dignity and respect for all undocumented people living in the United States.