La Peña Cultural Center, Culturestrike and Define American presents ARTivism: We are American, an art exhibit and talk on Immigrantion, Arts, and Culture, while also hosting 2 cultural activists that are shaping the national tide on immigration. You can read about them in this week’s TIME Magazine!
Featuring Artist Julio Salgado & Journalist Jose Antonio Vargas
On Friday, June 15, President Barack Obama announced that he would grant administrative relief to DREAM Act-eligible youth. That was the same day that 36 DREAMers — born in 15 different countries but all of whom call America home — appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine.
Featuring a gripping story written by undocumented journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, TIME delved deeply into the issue. These groundbreaking events were possible because of the many years of hard work by both undocumented activists and the members of their underground railroad. The art of Julio Salgado has captured a lot of that work and undocumented students have used his illustrations as a tool of empowerment. Identifying as “UndocuQueer,” Julio’s activist artwork is a staple for DREAMers around the country and has been shared widely in social networks, capturing the attention of companies such as American Apparel. Inspired by the work of undocumented students and activists, Vargas came out as an undocumented immigrant in The New York Times in June 2011 and has used his storytelling skills to continue to elevate the immigration conversation around the country.
Join both artists as they talk about their work and the importance of cultural organizing in the immigration movement.
Tuesday, June 26th from 6-9pm, at La Peña Cultural Center (3105 Shattuck Ave, in Berkeley) Suggested donations $5/no one turned away for lack of funds!
Follow this link below to see Mr. Vargas talk to Bill O’Reilly regarding immigration solutions.
