Novato High School

We kick started March with a very busy Friday. High school teacher, Roxana Leiva, brought 10 of her students from Novato High School. The students were able to view a demonstration of how to create a silk-screen poster, learn about the political legacies of the poster, and discuss student art that was important to them. With the help of our TANA interns Estela Tejada and Jose Quintero, the students were able to work in groups to co-create three original posters to take back with them to the Bay Area.

It was a beautiful way to start the weekend as we all enjoyed lunch provided by nearby taco trucks and danced some cumbia! The youth were more than capable in making their vision a reality through a print, even if they had no prior knowledge of printmaking. If they can do it, you can do it too! Stay tuned, as Spring Session will begin at TANA so you can begin learning how to print.

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Transformación at Syracuse, NY

This last fall, UC Davis was chosen to host Imagining America (IA) for the next 5 years. IA is a national consortium of one hundred universities and community partners working towards supporting one another’s work. Through TANA’s involvement with IA and their last national conference, we were able to connect with the IA board members. One of which was Kal Alston, who is faculty at Syracuse University and the interim Executive Director of the Community Folk Art Center (CFAC).

CFAC along with TANA have a similar mission to create a space where emerging artists with important messages can showcase their art to create and engage in dialogue. Kal was ecstatic about our studio and gallery when she came to visit. We were able to collaborate and plan out an exhibition of our posters created by students, interns, and professional artists. Over 60 of our posters created in Woodland are now being shown in Syracuse, NY at the CFAC. This is the first time our art has traveled outside of California! With a lot of preparation and work from our Associate Director and Chief Curator, Jose Arenas, he was able to work with our student interns to mat, frame, and build crates to carry our art safely to the east coast.

 

The opening reception was January 26th with a gallery talk the following day. Co-founder Malaquias Montoya, Associate Director Jose Arenas, and Workshop Coordinator Drucella Miranda were able to fly to the east coast to participate for the opening weekend. The show will be up until March 23rd! We hope this show will travel some more, so follow us on Facebook or Instagram to find out where it might end up next!

The theme of this exhibition is Political Art in the Age of Protest. We were able to fill CFAC’s beautiful gallery with art along the themes of feminism, war, culture, and much more!

 

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Sanctuary for Mr. Kong

Holly Cooper, Co-director of the UC Davis School of Law Immigration Law Clinic, reached out to TANA about making a poster in support of Davis client, Mr. Kong, who had been arrested by ICE and faced deportation. We connected Holly with talented TANA artist, Elyse Doyle-Martinez, who rose to the challenge. Elyse has been doing phenomenal and important work here at TANA and sharing it with her community. We asked her a few questions to get her insight on the importance of her work.

 

TANA: Why did you decide to take up this project?

Elyse Doyle-Martinez: The rights of undocumented Americans are in jeopardy, now more than ever. When TANA asked if I would like to contribute art to Mr. Kong’s campaign, I was more than happy to do so. After reading more about his story, and others like his, I knew this was something I needed to stand behind. This is my home, it has been for almost 30 years, and it is for Kong and so many other undocumented people. In my opinion, a piece of paper isn’t what makes us American.

TANA: How did you choose what imagery to use for the poster?

Elyse Doyle-Martinez: The image of Kong and his family was the one that I related to, and thought others would too.. There are immigrants and refugees from all over the world who should feel safe to find sanctuary for themselves and their families in our communities. Especially when our government has contributed to the chaos and violence that made them flee in the first place.

TANA: Are there any other projects you are currently working on:

Elyse Doyle-Martinez: Always. Unfortunately, there is always someone or something that needs advocacy. If I can create imagery that will make people aware, start a dialogue, and inspire change – that’s how I contribute. I was never the person yelling into a megaphone at marches, but art has given me my voice in these movements.

 

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With the support of this cultural work alongside the endeavors of the Immigration Law clinic, Mr. Kong was granted a reprieve from deportation. His reprieve is only temporary for now until a hearing is conducted. You can read more about it here.

 

Fall Open House ’17

Thank you all for an incredible first session to kick off another year! Beautiful and powerful art pieces are made here at TANA, and we want to thank you for continuing this work. We also would like to thank all the community members that come to support our young and aspiring artists. Happy Holidays! Stay in touch to find out when Winter Session begins in 2018!

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Día de los Muertos ’17

A special thank you to Sharon Torres for bringing in all the community members to create beautiful altars to commemorate their loved ones. Much love to the altaristas for coming in and sharing their lives with us here at TANA. Day of the Dead this year was a wonderful celebration, with Danzante Group Telpochkalli, Ballet Folklorico from Woodland High, and Ike Torres with his compadres. Check out some photos from the event below!

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