TIERRA Y RAÍCES
TIERRA Y RAÍCES
By Esther Young
In March of 2023, the Mexican Heritage Plaza hosted “Tierra y Raíces/Earth and Roots," a community exhibition celebrating our ties to the earth we share and the ancestors we arrive from. Nineteen artists presented their work that expressed the theme through indigenous mythologies and traditions, plant life, and wildlife. The Plaza gallery was brightened by paintings, sculptures, and even skateboard decks that expressed personal declarations and curiosities about our roots.
Many of the art shows at la Plaza are only possible through collaboration with community makers. The School of Arts and Culture continues to work with Works/San José to present curated group shows that spotlight local artists aligned to themes rooted in tradition, and the making of new traditions. For “Tierra y Raíces,” the School introduced a new partner to activate la Plaza in a new way: at the closing reception, the artist collective MovingGround brought a temporal, site-specific performance that facilitated deeper reflection on the four elements, the four directions, and our ties to one another.
“...a community exhibition celebrating our ties to the earth we share and the ancestors we arrive from. ”
Prior to this community exhibition, the Plaza Gallery was graced by the works of artist Roberto Romo. His “La Nueva Loteria” show closed with a night of loteria, played on the game boards he designed.
In April through Cinco de Mayo, la Plaza is hosting the first “San Jose Day” art show, which received a vibrant opening at the festival for 408 Day. In the summer months, the School of Arts and Culture will launch two student showcases in the Gallery, followed by “An American Mosaic” show in September, and the annual “Afterlife” exhibition curated by Works/San José in October. The final show of the year will be curated by artist and guest curator Carlos Perez, one of the Plaza’s original co-founders. Viewing hours for all exhibits are available on schoolofartsandculture.org
“In the summer months, the School of Arts and Culture will launch two student showcases in the Gallery, followed by “An American Mosaic” show in September, and the annual “Afterlife” exhibition curated by Works/San José in October.”