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Raza Visions II: Cultivating Creative Spaces of Autonomy and Resistance
Centro Cultural de la Raza Starts Outdoor Revitalization Initiative
November 23, 2020
San Diego, CA - As state guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic have restricted indoor events and group activities, the Centro Cultural de la Raza has taken the time to revitalize our indoor and outdoor areas to continue offering as safe a space for the community as possible.
Centro Cultural de la Raza is celebrating its 50th anniversary from July 2020-July 2021. While not the anniversary we imagined, we have approached it with renewed intent to continue to build community as we have for five decades. Our iconic cultural arts center is currently working to create a community garden space to plant seeds of change alongside both restorative and food gardens. This builds on our Raza Visions Campaign of last year, which sought to engage community members to determine how to build the future together. “The intent is to create a space to share food and stories of solidarity and autonomy as we work to improve a mutual aid system for the community. The garden will include native plants and promote projects of self sufficiency, health, and nutrition,” said Amelia Enrique, President of the Board of Directors.
Last year, the Centro Cultural de la Raza’s Raza Visions campaign raised funds to complete La Tiendita project as part of our 50th Anniversary efforts. Motivated by the call “El Centro es de quien lo Trabaja/The Centro belongs to those who work it,'' La Tiendita Project was completed during the lockdown. In La Tiendita, artesanoas and crafters have the opportunity to sell or trade their creations to the public and community at Centro. It has been an important source of fundraising for various collectives and causes. The transformation of this iconic space was an effort led by the Arts Advisory Committee (AAC), a collective of artists, organizers & community members who are taking an active role in developing the programming of the Centro. With help from local videographer Magdalena Ramirez, Centro Cultural is proud to launch a video (also above) featuring the success of Raza Visions, the progress being made in the outdoor space, and showcasing community members who volunteer their time as we proceed to Phase II of our 50th anniversary efforts.
The AAC and Board of Directors express gratitude for the outpouring of support to revitalize the Centro: “Our hearts are full and we’d like to say a resounding thank you, for past and future support. Thank you to everyone that has participated in our events and dance parties, shared our campaign on social media, listened to the stories of resistance, and believed in our Raza Visions. The Centro would not be what it is today without our broader community.” Towards these ends, a new fundraising campaign has been initiated to gain the financial resources to keep watering and nurturing our community together. Funds will be used to secure a drip irrigation system, create erosion control, fencing, plants, new soil, and other material to transform our Centro’s outdoors into a space that is both functional and beautiful. We welcome all continued support for the Centro and ask that you also share widely with all your networks and neighbors!
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San Diego's Centro Cultural de la Raza was founded in 1970 as a Chicano Community Cultural Center and functions as an alternative space that encourages and facilitates artistic growth and cultural exchange in the San Diego/Tijuana region. The Centro provides classes and features a dynamic inter-disciplinary schedule of events which includes exhibits, musical performances, installation art, readings, receptions, Azteca dance, Teatro Chicano, Ballet Folklorico, film screenings and other events.
Centro Cultural de la Raza Starts Outdoor Revitalization Initiative
November 23, 2020
San Diego, CA - As state guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic have restricted indoor events and group activities, the Centro Cultural de la Raza has taken the time to revitalize our indoor and outdoor areas to continue offering as safe a space for the community as possible.
Centro Cultural de la Raza is celebrating its 50th anniversary from July 2020-July 2021. While not the anniversary we imagined, we have approached it with renewed intent to continue to build community as we have for five decades. Our iconic cultural arts center is currently working to create a community garden space to plant seeds of change alongside both restorative and food gardens. This builds on our Raza Visions Campaign of last year, which sought to engage community members to determine how to build the future together. “The intent is to create a space to share food and stories of solidarity and autonomy as we work to improve a mutual aid system for the community. The garden will include native plants and promote projects of self sufficiency, health, and nutrition,” said Amelia Enrique, President of the Board of Directors.
Last year, the Centro Cultural de la Raza’s Raza Visions campaign raised funds to complete La Tiendita project as part of our 50th Anniversary efforts. Motivated by the call “El Centro es de quien lo Trabaja/The Centro belongs to those who work it,'' La Tiendita Project was completed during the lockdown. In La Tiendita, artesanoas and crafters have the opportunity to sell or trade their creations to the public and community at Centro. It has been an important source of fundraising for various collectives and causes. The transformation of this iconic space was an effort led by the Arts Advisory Committee (AAC), a collective of artists, organizers & community members who are taking an active role in developing the programming of the Centro. With help from local videographer Magdalena Ramirez, Centro Cultural is proud to launch a video (also above) featuring the success of Raza Visions, the progress being made in the outdoor space, and showcasing community members who volunteer their time as we proceed to Phase II of our 50th anniversary efforts.
The AAC and Board of Directors express gratitude for the outpouring of support to revitalize the Centro: “Our hearts are full and we’d like to say a resounding thank you, for past and future support. Thank you to everyone that has participated in our events and dance parties, shared our campaign on social media, listened to the stories of resistance, and believed in our Raza Visions. The Centro would not be what it is today without our broader community.” Towards these ends, a new fundraising campaign has been initiated to gain the financial resources to keep watering and nurturing our community together. Funds will be used to secure a drip irrigation system, create erosion control, fencing, plants, new soil, and other material to transform our Centro’s outdoors into a space that is both functional and beautiful. We welcome all continued support for the Centro and ask that you also share widely with all your networks and neighbors!
……
San Diego's Centro Cultural de la Raza was founded in 1970 as a Chicano Community Cultural Center and functions as an alternative space that encourages and facilitates artistic growth and cultural exchange in the San Diego/Tijuana region. The Centro provides classes and features a dynamic inter-disciplinary schedule of events which includes exhibits, musical performances, installation art, readings, receptions, Azteca dance, Teatro Chicano, Ballet Folklorico, film screenings and other events.