On Saturday, April 15th, my work is included in the “Latinx Artist for ALMAAHH: We Are Houston”. The exhibition and public opening will be at POST Houston, 401 Franklin street, 77201. For the free Preview on April 14th, registration is required here.

See here for more info: https://www.almaahh.org/

My new participatory video project, TODOS, is a 2021 recipients of The Idea Fund grant. In its 14th year, The Idea Fund supports Houston-area artists, curators, and collaboratives whose projects exemplify unconventional, interventionist, conceptual, entrepreneurial, participatory, or guerrilla artistic practices.

TODOS is a bilingual (Spanish/English) participatory video-art project that seeks to foster a newfound agency on what “citizenship” and “patriotism” means. Two-minute videos are recorded of participant responses to words flashed on a screen of terms relating to US patriotism, citizenship and values. Traditional terms are exchanged with new political language that defines human “internal” preferences as part and parcel of human and civil rights and entitlements. This mix of terms and words act as a “word association” game that allow for answers thoughtfully considered, intuitive or reactive. This experimental project offers the residents of Houston’s East End Latino/a/x community a fun opportunity to redefine and expand the concepts, terms and vernacular associated with the United States social contract and our notions of patriotism. TODOS intention is for a relational, video art project to become part of the national dialog for a more expansive, inclusive and internal notions of what it means to be an American. TODOS is a performative video, recording the act of personal and political determinization.

 It is a real honor to be among the awardees.

This granting program is funded by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, administered by a partnership of DiverseWorks, Project Row Houses, and Aurora Picture Show, and projects are selected by a panel of arts professionals and a past Idea Fund grant recipient. This round's jurors were Roya Amirsoleymani, Leslie Moody Castro, and Harrison Guy. For more information, visit theideafund.org.

Facebook Invite: Idea Fund Presentation

Note: This event is online-only. For registration, Go here.

From the Idea Fund:

“This free virtual event features presentations by the 12 recipients of this year’s The Idea Fund grants. This event is free, registration is required for access to the Zoom webinar, and it will also be live-streamed on our Facebook page.:

Round 14 Grantees (In order of presentation):
Qais Assali – “Two Sides of The Same Coin“
Banke Awopetu – “Summon”
Gregory Michael Carter – “Machine To Retrieve Reparations“
Sol Diaz – “The Place I Know”
Matthew Flores & Ángel Lartigue – “Forensic Excavation”
Yu-Ru Huang – “The Human Behind the Object”
Hueston Collective: Aisen Caro Chacin, Violette Bule, Felicia Chapman, Maria Macias, Lindsay Betzabeth Nunez, and Josef Pierre – “The Uncomfortable Staging“
Vinod Hopson– “THOSE WHO DESIRE – en los Brazos de Dios”
Bria Lauren – “Gold Was Made Fa’ Her”
Henry G. Sanchez – “TODOS/ WE THE PEOPLE”
Prince Varughese Thomas & Britt Thomas– “2 Post Cinema”
Two Dykes and a Knife (Preetika Rajgariah & Lovie Olivia) – “TONGUE AND CHEEK“

To RSVP: http://theideafund.org/?fbclid=IwAR1MlnbpLD8cV0N6LUTCgZ0IbQS06W_Nn8PvQ4REy63FM-X0fd8YOOqisAk

For Glasstire blurb: https://glasstire.com/events/2021/01/28/the-idea-fund-round-14-grantee-presentations/

Dear Friends,

You are invited to the first public presentation of a philosophical proposition I’ve been professing for some time. This coming Tuesday night at Rudyard’s, I ask the question: Can new political legal theories that propose an expansion of human rights which recognize the “internal rights” of all humans, point a way towards understanding and developing social practice art or socially engaged art projects? Please join me at Rudyard’s September 24th at 7pm. Plenty of conversations and spirits to share!

Philosophically Drinking

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at 7 PM – 8 PM

@ Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh Dr, Houston, Texas 77006

L.O.C.C.A.: Law Office Center for Citizenship and Art will host a program of art presentations on Sunday April 7th, 7pm - 9:30pm. Artist discussions will explore the intersection of art with science, nature and biology. We dialog with the presenting artists about their art practice working with the local eco-system; the body and performance; biological materials; the influence, mediation and methodology of science with the tools of science; and the relation of the Mexican-American, Hispanic and Latino/a/x culture, history and experience to bio-art. Attendees are invited to participate in a conversational exchange with the artists during the presentations. Artists Angel Lartigue, Sarah Sudhoff, Francis Almendárez and Jacqueline Posada will present their work on Sunday April 7th, RAIN or SHINE!

Artist presentation, panel discussion, audience Q&A:
Sunday, April 7th, 7pm - 9:30pm, featuring artists Angel Lartigue, Sarah Sudhoff, Francis Almendárez and Jacqueline Posada
Refreshments will be served.

bios:

Houston born Angel Lartigue dropped out of high school as a teenager and has since pursued his art practice in solitary research. Lartigue’s primary motivation is to investigate and redefine the relationship between the body and land through the use of organic matter as raw material. This concentration has led the artist to pursue training in forensic anthropology and human remains recovery. Lartigue was recently invited to take part in the 2019 artistic-laboratory residency, SymbioticA (University of Western Australia, Perth, AU) to forward this research and artistic exploration. www.Angel-Lartigue.com

Sarah Sudhoff holds an M.F.A. in Photography from New York’s Parsons School of Design and a B.J. in Journalism and Photography from the University of Texas at Austin. She has received a 2017 Individual Artist Grant from Houston Arts Alliance for her recent body of work and is the Executive Director for the Texas Photographic Society. Sudhoff was awarded by The Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation (2013) and exhibited internationally and across the U.S. at Galveston Arts Center, Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, Gray Duck Gallery in Austin, Filter Photo Festival and Roots & Culture in Chicago, and the DongGang International Photo Festival in South Korea. https://www.sarahsudhoff.com/

Francis Almendárez is an interdisciplinary artist who traverses the intersections of history, ethnography and the arts. In attempt to make sense of and re-construct identity, he uses them as tools to address memory and trauma, specifically of migrant and queer bodies of Caribbean and Central American diasporas. His work, ranging from video installation to performance and text, incorporates music and storytelling, and brings to the foreground time, labor and rhythm. http://francisalmendarez.com/

Jacqueline Posada is a single-mother of many trades and a home cook with a green thumb. Ascending from a family of farmers she worked in the fields of Central Valley California during the early 80s picking various crops from walnuts to peppers. She is currently studying photography. 

June 25, 2019

“Las Fronteras: Houston artist working with Nature”, bio-artist presentations on April 7, 2019

   After a faulty hdmi adapter, a bad connection to the sound system, and a rain delay, “Las Fronteras: Houston artists working with Nature” was finally able to commence on April 7th. The first evening program was cancelled on April 3rd. So we decided to compress all the artists to one evening of presentations. In attendance were the artists presenters Sarah Sudhoff, Angel Lartigue, Francis Almendarez and his mother Jacqueline Posada. Instead of staging the program outside, inside the office space would be safest, in case of another threat of rain. This time the technical problems were solved and at least a dozen people showed up.

   This panel presentation differed from the typical art panel discussions. I purposely played a minimal role as moderator. I didnt feel the need to guide the artists to discuss each other’s practice. Not necessary to interject my comments or perceptions about their artwork. Very few, if any, questions from me. I sat aside, took notes and reminded when them when their times were running long. And they all did. Each took at least 30 minutes. To be fair, this should have been spread to two nights. But one has to make due with circumstances as they come.

  Though the evening ran longer than I expected at least I was able to accomplish something that I believe had not been done in the Houston art scene before: Latino/a/x Bio-artists talking about how their work intersects with the world of biology, perm-culture, science and nature.

   If you wish to read about these artists and the context of their work, please go to the link below.

https://glasstire.com/2019/05/27/who-are-the-houston-bio-artists/

or here:

LOCCA is collaborating with local artists from Houston and the East End to present an evening long festival to celebrate the work of T.E.J.A.S.: Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services and to urge our neighbors to “LUCHA PRO NUESTRA TIERRA/FIGHT FOR OUR HOMES!”

This artist initiative will provide art stations at LOCCA that can use the power of art making to  send the message to all our neighbors and businesses in the East End of Houston to protect the quality of our air, land, neighborhood and health of our families.

Featured will be sustainable art making practices, nutritious food, video making for PSAs, performances, music and an art exhibition of work that addresses the environmental state of the East End and Manchester neighborhoods.

In addition to collaborating with us, T.E.J.A.S. will act as our fiscal sponsor. Any contributions can be made to the T.E.J.A.S. donate button on their website or a check can be mailed to T.E.J.A.S., 6733 Harrisburg Blvd, Houston, Texas 77011. Please write/place a note on any donation that it is directed to the “LUCHA PRO NUESTRA TIERRA/FIGHT FOR OUR HOMES!” event.

The event is FREE and open to all ages. Below are details and the FB link. Hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/223994298378291/

EVENT w/ TEJAS: Lucha por Nuestra Tierra/Fight for Our Home, June 23rd.

After a good number of meetings & follow through with Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS) and our artist organizing group (Ronald L. Jones, Laura Napier and her partner Justin, Stalina Villareal, Liza Watkins), I would say that the festival day came together and we had a successful event!

I’ll admit, I found myself doing more than anticipated. After a final follow-up meeting 5 days before with a detailed To Do List there was; taking inventory of TEJAS chairs and tables needed; editing and writing the text for the flyer, making sure it was out early; collecting and curating the mp4 files for the video installation; organizing and curating the exhibition of children’s art from Manchester and video installation;

providing and running the AV system and power cables; running the water-hose for the silk-screener; arraigning tents; managing any trouble spots throughout the festival; and of course, setting up and breaking down the event. Whew!

My nephew Marty came to assist me throughout the day. Couldn’t do all the managing without him.

So what did we do at LUCHA POR NUESTRA TIERRA/FIGHT FOR OUR HOME evening?

Well, I provided two new videos “Plecostomus” and “Brays”. Included as well were two videos from Laura.

Laura also provided her videos and used my lighting equipment for the video room to create PSAs.

Ronald responded with his portable silkscreen table, which much like a hat box. Bags were ready for silk-screening thanks to Stalina. She occupied the sustainable art-making station.

Liza brought two bilingual poets from (Inprint Poetry Buskers) that drafted poems for attendees. This turned out to be a real hit.

As the subject matter was dictated by the attendees and were given the chance to recite their poems in front of the audience. It made what could have been a conceptual exercise into something participatory.

Justin came up with a ring toss game with cardboard rings modeled after the chemical graphic of Benzene. Very funny and everyone played.

Juan and Ana Parras (TEJAS founders) brought the necessary tables and chairs. Dee Segun (TEJAS, Exec. Dir.) and Yvette Arellano, (TEJAS staff), provided information about toxic popcorn. TEJAS staffer, Jessica Hernandez, made sure there was plenty of free food and refreshments for everyone.

In terms of managing the event, I kind let things happen as they became ready. In some cases I had no choice, because performers, programs, etc. changed as the day progressed. No need to be anal about who goes first. I let things be free flowing. There was plenty to do. I would say it was a big success! Not perfect. Unpredictable at times. Spontaneous. But most importantly everyone enjoyed themselves, had food and drink, plus the children had something to do!

Stalina and I discussed having a “debrief” with our organizing group to talk about the things that worked and didn’t and why. I suggested to everyone that we introduce this new model we created to a general Arts Takes Action Houston meeting. We need to share this with others to get them started doing something. More on this later.

     Civic TV Laboratories is very excited to announce the opening of artist Henry G. Sanchez's multi-media based, interactive exhibition PATRIOT GAME on March 17th.
     PATRIOT GAME is a participatory video project where the artist Henry G. Sanchez asked fellow members of the Houston Chapter of United We Dream (UWD) to participate in an video art-philosophical experiment to redefine concepts, terms and the vernacular associated with the United States social contract and values and notions of patriotism. The videos reveal how UWD members interpret and imagine new definitions of the vocabulary and language that is traditionally associated with patriotic US sentiments and values. Alternating with traditional terms are new expressions that seek to expand the notions and concepts of citizenship and patriotism. The video experiment becomes an opportunity for UWD’ers to redefine conventional terminology within a contemporary context while exploring new lexicons that make for a more expansive and inclusive notion of what it means to be an American.
     Attendees of the exhibit may also participate in a live version of PATRIOT GAME, to be live streamed for general viewing during the opening reception.
The theme of patriotic word games continue throughout the exhibit; a zine collaboration with CIVIC TV’s Terry Suprean is available, as well as limited edition posters and prints.
PATRIOT GAME invites viewers to play, intuit and celebrate individual expression and interpretations of citizenship.
     Who determines the meaning of words like Liberty, Freedom and Choice? Do traditional terms of US patriotism allude to half-fulfilled and elusive achievements? Are concepts of citizenship interpreted according to individual environmental, political and psychological condition? Is there space in our American lexicon to introduce new vocabularies that express positivity, internal goals and aspirations? PATRIOT GAME’s experience is for all viewers to participate and consider a new lexicon for civic conversations in the United States and for all who live within its borders.

https://www.facebook.com/events/101613017339827/

https://www.civictv.org/

For complete project description: PATRIOT GAME

Dear Friends,
LOCCA is proud to be the host venue for this very important event sponsored by T.E.J.A.S.: Texas Environmental Advocacy Services. T.E.J.A.S. will be discussing new strategies for air quality testing in the wake of Harvey and the chemical disasters along the Bayou. They are looking for active participants in the Magnolia area of Houston. Magnolia, located in the East End, is a predominately Hispanic and Immigrant community. This community is adversely affected by the petro-chemical plants that surround them along Buffalo Bayou. Please feel free to attend and hear from one of Houston's pre-imminent environmental justice groups. Pizza and refreshments will be served. This event of FREE and open to all ages. See the details below and attached. Look forward to seeing you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/397236134022642/?active_tab=discussion

What: WRISTBAND DETECT CHEMICALS: Community Meeting about Optional Wristband study
When: Thurs., Nov. 30th
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: L.O.C.C.A.: The Law Office Center for Citizenship and Art
7016 Canal, Houston, TX 77011

Neighbors from the Magnolia Community and surrounding areas in East Houston are invited to attend a community gathering to know about a wristband study to detect organic chemicals.

-Information about environmental chemical exposures
-Pizza for First 100 Attendees
-Description of Optional Scientific Study Using Wristbands
-Attendees May Join Wristband Study (Optional)
-$10/$20 Gift Cards for Participation & Completion
-Wear Comfortable Waterproof Bracelet for 7 Days
-Bracelet is Tested for Various Organic Chemicals
-Opt-In to Receive Individual Confidential Report

In cooperation with the Texas A&M Health Science Center

L.O.C.C.A. is collaborating with United We Dream and pleased to invite all our allies and friends to DREAM ON! Join us this Friday, November 10th at 7 pm where local stories from undocumented immigrants will be presented. The end of the evening will include a short music set by Houston punk legends the MYDOLLS!

There will be refreshments, music, camaraderie, and hope.

Following the termination of the DACA program by Trump on Sept 5th, the undocumented community is gathering to show their resilience, power, and unity in the face of mounting white supremacy. We are inviting local officials to push for a Clean Dream Act in defiance of the terror inducing mass deportation agenda of President Trump and its administration. Join Us!

Please register on the following link to secure your spot! Space is limited!! Thank you so much!! https://goo.gl/forms/QdDVzwjchZeH3Dk52

DREAM ON @ LOCCA was a successful event on Nov. 10th! It was LOCCA’s the first collaboration this year with United We Dream. The volunteers did a remarkable job of setting up with posters, banners, food and refreshments. Undocumented story tellers recalled and presented their experience to an audience of supporters and elected officials: State Representatives Gene Wu and Alma Allen, Houston City Councilmember Karla Cisneros and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett. This bipartisan group was asked to state before cameras their support for a clean Dream Act. They all did. Our undocumented immigrant speakers were all in turn more articulate, eloquent and compelling than the next. More than a chance to appeal to elected officials for firm political support, DREAM ON was a celebration. The night ended with a thirty-minute set from the Mydolls, Houston’s legendary punk band. It was amazing, mind blowing, to see them play in LOCCA’s backyard!! My thanks to all the UWD volunteers who helped set up and break down. Looks like we may do this again next month. Stay tuned!

“Extraterratorial Sites & Persons” an Artist & Community Roundtable

This Wednesday, 6pm at DiverseWorks, I will be moderating an open forum discussion with Xandra Eden that focuses on the artist's position in society/communities and artist concepts of extraterritoriality and citizenship. Guests include Phillip Pyle II, Pedro Lasch, Deborah Grotfeldt, Terry Suprean, and others. This conversation is part of the "Lines Drawn" project at DiverseWorks. Hope you can participate and collaborate in this discussion with others in the art community in the era of Resistance!

DiverseWorks, 3400 Main at the corner of Holman and Travis.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1475344125881914/

http://www.diverseworks.org/in-the-works/exhibtion-performance/lines-drawn

The following is the transcript of my delivered remarks about the subject of “extraterritorial” artworks and artists.:

Why Extraterritoriality? One of the major concepts of the show is how artists test, challenge, reimagine, disrupt, and question received notions of borders and boundaries particularly in the context of nationality-nationalism, immigration-emigration, equity-inequality of power relations and basic human rights. Extraterritoriality in its strict, historic definition refers the state of exemption of local laws or jurisdiction that are applied to specific sites or individuals where competing national and international interests meet. For example these can be places like embassies, foreign missions, military bases or ships, the UN and to people like diplomats, government officials or workers, or personnel from the armed forces. Extraterritoriality can come from bi-national agreements, treaties, diplomatic negotiations.

Extraterritorial places are where contiguous nations lie next to each, such as land borders or when they share international waters or even the earth’s atmosphere. They can become Extraterritorial zones, such as the border of the US and Mexico. They can be Special Economic Zones. The border becomes the border landscape enveloping counties, cities, municipios, state governments; the people and populations, businesses and homes and the multi-varied authorities, laws, governance mechanisms that exists within the zones. They become places with their own customs, norms, general practices and laws.

Extraterritoriality can extend to the places that juxtapose, overlap, reside in the same place which at times conflict. But let us consider other kinds places that have their own rules, norms. Shouldn’t we consider the spaces of art and artists with their own “states of exception” for imagination? They can be neutral spaces, within the normal public zones, such as the museum, parks and art institutions. But they can be places that suspend, or conflict, challenge traditional norms and rules and establish new types of communities. These can be the private galleries, the art spaces, alternative art venues, artist run projects spaces, installations and even the artist studio. They become the artist extraterritorial space. Like the traditional definitions of extraterritoriality, they also involve communities, transnational communications, with transcultural exchanges which can happen on borders and border zones. Artists, however, have created their own special kind of extraterritorial zones.

During my conversation with Michael Galbreth, one half of the Art Guys, Michael said to me, and a paraphrase: “Territory is how humans organize themselves and establish rules for behavior. Its binds the people in the spaces and places they live. Its called politics: organization of human behavior with agreed upon codified rules and laws. It is traditionally tied to territory. However, people interpret laws and codes which tend to restrict. And artists, like any other citizen, wants to explore the borders and beyond that territory. They want to travel and see other spaces.”

Michael then adds, “extraterritoriality also becomes a framework for thinking, with the “frame” as the context and the border of the ideas and art. As artists we are constantly perforating that frame, exploring around it and exploring outside to the other territories both conceptually and physically. Artist do a very good job of materializing the space. You can touch, smell, feel, taste and become part of it.”  

The physical manifestations of “extraterritorial art spaces” develop their own rules and norms. These rules are part and parcel of the artist prerogatives and unique skills sets, such as: a place for having senses, thought, imagination; a place for you to emote freely and beneficially without coercion; a place where you can affiliate, collaborate and becomes friends with people that are not like yourself; and most importantly to have the space to Play. When artists experiment with new norms in those spaces for themselves and their communities it perhaps can provide the chance for many citizens to be part of and enjoy an art extraterritorial space. Perhaps this becomes an example where the rules, codes, and norms are “internal” just as much as they are external.

Though some of these extraterritorial art spaces may already have embedded societies, they also develop new communities, while being inclusive to outside and incoming groups. While these, sometimes, neutral spaces exist inside the prevalent, normal, traditional, public territory, they reach out and move outside the “frame” in the direction towards the general public and community service organizations, not just art organizations. It is outside of those spaces or here (in the self-made extraterritoriality) that artists can find themselves having another kind of role in society rather than just the author or arbiter of aesthetics.  

So what about extraterritorial persons/artist? Many artists can move freely around and outside the “frame” as Michael put it, to explore other extraterritorial spaces. Ideas of internal and external spaces are occupied intuitively and the inclination to slip and cross borders while existing in undefined spaces is continually explored artistically. The “extraterritorial persons/artist” may be born in one country but work globally around the themes of borders and border spaces, for example,: 

Alfredo Jaar, born in Chile, lives in New York, but works internationally, explores the sociopolitical division that result from globalization. In 2000 he created the art project called THE CLOUD: a performance that took place at the border of Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California consisting of classical music soloists accompanying the release of three thousand white balloons that symbolize the people who lost their lives trying to cross the US and Mexico border, known as “la frontera”, over that decade.    

Francis Alys, a Belgian born artist who is based in Mexico, explores spatial and social realties such as national borders with ideas about localism and globalism, in areas of conflict and community. With his art piece called “Don’t Cross the Bridge Before You Get to the River”, he organized a line of kids from the Spanish side and the Moroccan side of the Straits of Gibraltar (the ocean border and narrowest point between Europe to Africa). He had them walk single file into the sea with a boat made from a shoe, they formed an imaginary bridge swimming towards each other shores and so they could meet in the horizon. It was a way to illustrate the contradiction of promoting the global economy while limiting global migration.

One of the artists in our show Mariam Ghani, researches spaces and places where social, political and cultural structures take tangible forms. Though she works on projects in Afghanistan, her family’s country of origin, here at DiverseWorks she exhibits her video “The City & The City” a video narrative of the book of the same title by China Mieville. Her video however follows the geography and the division of St. Louis, MO, as a liminal spaces within the city. This was done at the same time after the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, just outside of St. Louis, in 2015.    

To bring the conversation back to where we are, in this circle of people within an alternative art gallery; an extraterritorial gathering within the extraterritorial art space which is separate, but part of the traditional territory of Houston, we want to talk about the role of artists in society and how extraterritorial art spaces and artist can work beyond our “frame”.

- Those in attendance: Phillip Pyle II, Jennifer Gardner, Robert Boyd, Rachel Cook, Jake Margolin, Nick Vaughan, Pablo Lasch (via Skype), Laura Napier, Dr. Andrew J. Gordon, Alexandra Kelton, Terry Suprean, Xandra Eden, (others attending were a DW intern and unknown artist) and myself.

Artists for Pro-Immigrant Policy ask our supporters to WEAR ORANGE!: We want to show our solidarity with United We Dream (UWD) and all the immigrant community by wearing the color Orange at Mayor Turner’s community on Thursday, May 18th, 6pm, @ Tejano Center for Community Concerns (2950 Broadway, 77017).

Why WEAR ORANGE? Orange is the color of UWD. Wear whatever you like: scarfs, t-shirts, dresses, funny hats, wigs! We will have options for you to wear if you do not have orange: orange bandana swatches and orange wrist sweat bands. A sea of people wearing the same color will have a visual affect like watching fans at college football games! Come show your support this Thursday and let’s make a visual impact.  WEAR ORANGE!

A new artists for Pro-Immigrant Action group, (formed from the “Arts Take Action Houston” Town Hall meeting at the Station Museum this past April 3rd) will convene on May 10, 6:30pm @ LOCCA. We will discuss Art/Artist strategies and tactics to support and coordination with pro-immigrant rights groups. All artists who are interested in serving as agents for “creative tension” to support pro-immigrant policies in Houston and to advocate for the de-criminalization of Houston’s undocumented communities are invited attend.

Where: LOCCA: Law Office Center for Citizenship and Art

7016 Canal Street, 77023 (in the East End neighborhood)

Date: Wednesday, May 10th, 6:30pm

Directions: (https://www.google.com/maps/place/7016+Canal+St,+Houston,+TX+77011/@29.7394079,-95.3023219,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x8640bc2fddde351f:0xa2ceaccf669aa4c9!8m2!3d29.7394079!4d-95.3001332)

On April 23rd I will be in Chicago to participate in a panel about the role of artists in the civic decision making process. Our moderator, Eric Leshinski, organized this panel to include Lynn Osgood, Ben Stone and Carrie Marie Schneider. I will present three example projects that demonstrate the positions artists can play: the commons - environmental strategies used by the ENGLISH KILLS PROJECT; private space - fixing a social art practice on a law office to establish LOCCA; and imaginary space - mapping a “gestalt” of the urban geography with the EAST END PLAN. Each are working outside the traditionally sanctioned methods for artists involved in the civic decision making process.

“What’s the Plan? Artists, Planners and New Models for Civic Decision-Making”

10:00am  -  11:30am / Theatre Lecture Hall

This panel will explore the potential for a more inclusive approach to civic decision-making as it relates to artists and cultural policies. Working as artists, planners, and organizers, the panelists bring diverse perspectives to the topic formed from years of working on efforts to better integrate artists into the political frameworks that guide many of the decisions for how cities leverage the arts, allocate resources for the arts and otherwise attempt to shape the cultural landscape.

http://openengagement.info/chicago-2017/schedule/

…………………………………………………

Open Engagement (OE) is an annual artist-led conference dedicated to expanding the dialogue around and creating a site of care for the field of socially engaged art. The conference highlights the work of transdisciplinary artists, activists, students, scholars, community members, and organizations working within the complex social issues and struggles of our time.

Open Engagement 2017 — JUSTICE will take place April 21–23, 2017 at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a constellation of sites across the city. This year’s conference, guided by the curatorial vision of Romi Crawford and Lisa Yun Lee, will feature presenters including Theaster Gates, Maria Gaspar, Maria Varela, Ai-jen Poo, Marisa Jahn and Laurie Jo Reynolds.

http://openengagement.info/

Tomorrow, Jan 14th, LOCCA will be participating with DACA youth, immigrant right groups, community members, people of faith, and labor advocates for a a National Day of Action to prevent the deportation of Houston immigrants by winning local policy changes for the City of Houston and Harris County, and by preserving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; a program that currently protects more than 60,000 Houston immigrants and provides peace of mind and safety to families across the United States.

We will remind Mayor Sylvester Turner of his December 2016 commitment to implement policies that provide safety for Houston’s immigrant families. They will remind Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of his campaign promises to #end287g and Harris County’s unjust collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and will re-emphasize the importance of DACA for our communities by amplifying the stories of DACAmented people and showing public support.

Come to MECA, (1900 Kane st. Houston, 77007) at 10:30am, Saturday, Jan 14th to join with immigrants and people of conscience to raise their voice to declare that they will stand in the way of deportations, racial profiling, criminalization, and hatred. #houstonishome #heretostay

https://www.facebook.com/events/370327446664182/

The beginning of our ERA OF RESISTANCE, Saturday, Jan 14

Yes, this is just the beginning. There was a large turnout for this small space: at least 200. Members from the immigrant rights community, labor unions, student, family and children. There were a few speeches and a symbolic demonstration of what to do with a wall erected for racial reasons: break it down!

The best part of the day (in my view) was listening and recording the personal testimonies from people from all walks of life. They asked the mayor and city council to make this city safe for immigrants, with pro-immigrant policies and a withdrawal by our Houston law enforcement departments from the non-binding agreement (287g) with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement by agencies. Most touching was a place for children to make their own superhero capes and to emblazon (finger paint) with messages of hope.

 Thank you to United We Dream!

“The Longoria Affair, The G.I. Forum and the Rise of the Mexican-American Civil Rights movement”

A screening of the documentary The Longoria Affair by director John Valadez and a discussion about the founding of the G.I. Forum and its historic place in the Mexican-American civil rights movement.

Afterwards a general audience discussion with hosts: Mikaela Selley, Dr. Pamela Quiroz, Veronica Bernal J.D., Henry G. Sanchez, and special guest Felix Salinas. ESQ., (attorney at law, former Executive Secretary of the G. I. Forum).

When: Thursday, Nov. 3rd, 6:30pm – 8pm

Where: LOCCA

In collaboration with the Hispanic Collection & Oral History Archive, Houston Metropolitan Research Center and the Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Houston.

Nov. 3rd “The Longoria Affair” Screening and discussion with Felix E. Salinas

The screening of “The Longoria Affair”, a documentary by John Valadez, was an opportunity to shed some light on the under-recognized contributions of the American G.I. Forum and Dr. Hector Garcia who advanced the civil rights of Mexican-Americans in the 1950’s and 60’s. Felix E. Salinas, ESQ was the second executive Secretary to the G.I. Forum and worked closely with Dr. Garcia. It just so happens that Mr. Salinas is my deceased father’s partner. Mr. Salinas continues to practice here at the Sanchez Law building. This event was hosted by Mikaela Selley, Hispanic Archivist for the Houston Public Library. We were lucky to have in attendance our City Councilman, Roberto Gallegos and former City Councilwoman, Graciela G. Saenz. After a few words from the Councilman, we ended the evening by having a Q&A with Mr. Salinas and his history with the G.I. Forum. It would be safe to say that many in attendance did not know this part of United States history. I have known Mr. Salinas all my life and I never tire of hearing about his life’s story. What surprised me was discovering that his during his entire time working for the G.I. Forum to defend Mexican-American’s rights (in which his life was threatened more than once) that he and Dr. Garcia worked voluntarily and were never paid.

Our Panelists will address the struggles, concerns and issues of the undocumented community during election season. They will discuss what revolves around your vote and possible alternatives for civic participation, when you are unable to vote due to your immigration status.

“WHATS AT STAKE: Immigration, the National Election and Beyond"

Panelists:

Raul Alcaraz-Ochoa, (National Deportation Defense Organizer, United We Dream)

Oscar Hernandez, (DACA
Recipient and Lead Organizer for United We Dream)

Citilalli Alvarez Almedariz, (Houston Organizing Fellow for United We Dream)

Dr. Pamela Quiroz, Ph.D (Director, Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Houston)

Jeronimo Cortina, Ph.D (Associate Professor, University of Houston)

Moderator: Veronica Bernal, J.D., (Immigration Director at Carrigan, McClosky, Roberson LLP)

When: Oct. 27th – 6:30pm – 8pm

Where: L.O.C.C.A (Law Office Center for Citzenship and Art), 7016 Canal Street, Houston, Texas 77011

In collaboration with the Center for Mexican American Studies, University of Houston, Veronica Bernal and Mikaela Selley.

United We Dream is the organization started by those who are known as the “Dreamers”, the large community of young, undocumented immigrants living in the United States. LOCCA’s first program invited them to talk about their experiences of life living in the shadows, and then courageously out in the open and without fear of their status as residents. Our event was hosted by Veronica Bernal, an attorney representing this community in south Texas. Invited to the panel were Oscar Hernandez, Raul Alcaraz-Ochoa and Citlalli Alvarez Almendariz all organizers for UWD. Not only did we hear about their accounts of living in fear and being discovered by the authorities, but their transformation to decide not to succumb to this condition. Due to President Obama’s executive action, children who are under 31 and without resident documentation qualify for the Deferred Action for Children Arrives (DACA). DACA allows them to get a driver’s license, have a job with benefits, get a social security number, permits them to help their family financially, etc. This program has permitted this section our U.S. undocumented community to come out of the shadows to push for immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship. LOCCA’s partner the University of Houston’s Center for Mexican American Studies was represented by its director, Dr. Pamela Quiroz.