Project Highlights
2022
A yearlong partnership with Seattle Public Library to select the first Latinx/e author for their annual city-wide book club, “Seattle Reads.” We worked with SPL librarians to select and read about two dozen books that were offered in paperback in both English and Spanish. We choose an uplifting heartfelt family story, "The House of Broken Angels" by the award-winning author Luis Alberto Urrea.
Community Outreach included the following: partnering with Seattle Escribe and El Centro for the Mr. Urrea reading in Spanish; and with SPL for the Mr. Urrea readings in English at the Lake City Library and the Downtown Central Library.
In August, we gave away 100 books in English and 30 books in Spanish at the Lowrider Block Party to generate book clubs. Seattle Escribe also received “House of Broken Angels” in Spanish to distribute. The remaining books in English and Spanish became available at the library branches for borrowing.
Charla! A Community Conversation
August - La Sala hosted a community networking session and discussion about issues facing the Latinx Creative Community. Read the report here!
April - La Sala co-sponsored a fantastic event at Town Hall Seattle with Revista Seattle Escribe and Hablemos, escritoras.
On the first stop of the “Las cuatro esquinas Tour” around the US, Dr. Adriana Pacheco and Seattle Escribe bring together a panel of key players in education, culture, and literature to discuss names, topics, trends and voices in literature by writers of hispanic heritage and their impact on the culture.
More Projects in 2022
- Co-sponsorship of DE CAJóN Project's December all-ages concert with visiting artist Miguel Ballumbrosio.
- Hosted a local Latinx/e writers table at the Town Hall Writers Festival in Sept.
- Co-sponsorship of The Whisper, The Storm, and the Light in Between book launch for emerging poet, Clara Olivo.
- A multi-show partnership with ArtsWest theatre, providing free tickets to performances for the La Sala community to support contemporary Latinx/e theatre and promote viewership in our community.
- Partnered with Inspire WA to provide an information session about the one-time, statewide Working Washington grant for arts non-profits and businesses.
- Co-sponsored the 2nd Annual Lowrider Block Party by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery and organized an interactive artist workshop booth for attendees.
- Following Charla, we launched the Latinx/e Funding Research Project (continuing), a major initiative analyzing funding levels to our community throughout the state and creating a response plan to increase support and funding in the future.
This work was done with support by Office of Arts & Culture Seattle, 4Culture, WA Dept of Commerce, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, and individual donors. Thank you!
Reyna Grande Reception and Reading
April - With Seattle Public Library, La Sala hosted a reception for internationally acclaimed writer, Reyna Grande, at the new Anxestral Gallery in downtown Seattle, followed by a reading at SPL.
2021
Indigenous Connections at ArtXchange Gallery
A multidisciplinary evening of music and literary readings celebrating the Zapotec artists and Indigenous cultures of Mexico, in honor of Fulgencio Lazo Arte. Featuring writers Dalia Maxum and Donna Miscolta and music by Trío Guadalevín.
Watch the full event here!
Low Rider Block Party 2021
La Sala gave away free children’s art kits and poetry books at the 1st annual Low Rider Block Party in White Center, organized by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery.
More Projects in 2021
Celebrated Zapotec artists and Indigenous cultures of Mexico with Indigenous Connections at ArtXchange Gallery.
Advocated for Latinx artists on civic panels regarding cultural space.
As part of the "Halloween in July" event in downtown Seattle, La Sala sponsored artist Raquel Garcia to create a vibrant painted photo backdrop.
Assisted the City of Seattle with promotion of the Seattle Relief Fund.
Co-sponsored an online reading by Sandra Cisneros with Seattle Public Library.
Co-sponsored Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery's exhibition Latinx in the Northwest.
Worked with the Katie Oman Group to research Latinx cultural centers around the country and interview local leadership from Latinx cultural organizations throughout WA state.
Mayoral Candidate Arts Forum
July - La Sala teamed up with Seattle City of Literature and other arts organizations across Seattle to organize and host a Mayoral Candidate Arts Forum.
2020
COVID-19 Relief Grants
La Sala worked with the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture to distribute unrestricted relief funding to Latinx artists in Seattle.
“Not Your Monolith” exhibition and Panel Discussion with CoCA
La Sala proudly partnered with CoCA for Not Your Monolith, a visual arts exhibition exploring what it means to be not only an individual but also a communal member of BIPoC artistic communities and the global community.
La Tardeada: A Virtual Community Gathering
Hosted by La Sala Board Members, Vanessa Villalobos and Jake Prendez, this online gathering provided a bright spot for our artist community in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring visual artists Maestro Che and Angelina Villalobos Soto/179, work-in-progress by dancer Alicia Mullikin and a musical performance by Trio Garifuna.
Virtual Dia de los Muertos
La Sala partnered with El Centro de la Raza for a virtual celebration of Dia de los Muertos, including arts, cooking and culture. Watch Here.
2019
La Cocinita: The Concentration Camp
September 2019
An interactive exhibition created by poet Juan Carlos Reyes, with collaboration by musician Camelia Jade and artist Tatiana Garmendia, hosted by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, with support from Seattle University and Jack Straw. This multimedia exhibition combined words, images and sound to illuminate testimony from immigrant detention centers in the United States.
La Cocinita: Siluetas De Ebano / Silhouettes of Ebony October 4, 2019
A pop-up event at Hugo House, co-produced by Seattle-based artists Milvia Pacheco, Mirta Wymerszberg, and Leo Carmona. Through poetry, music, dance, and other forms of art, the artists will honored the experiences of the women as Afro-descendants from Latin America, as well as explored their own reflections and perspectives on identity, racism, and belonging.
2018
(Where) Do We Belong? Exhibition in partnership with Center on Contemporary Art
La Sala partnered with Seattle’s Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) to present the group show, (Where) Do We Belong? This exhibit shared the realities and challenges surrounding immigration and includes artworks that are a response to Trump’s “Zero-Tolerance Immigration Policies”—amplifying diverse artistic voices with direct experience.
LTX Space
Throughout 2018, La Sala joined with Seattle Amistad School and the Latino Community Fund to host a series of five community gatherings envisioning an artistic space for the Latinx community.
2017
THE SUGAR PROJECT
Created by artist Michelle de la Vega, the Sugar Project is a wide ranging community-based project that explores the commodification of women and girls. With partnership by La Sala, this project included community workshops, youth empowerment and visual art exhibitions.
2016
La Cocina
La Cocina, was an exhibit and month-long Latinx Artist’s Salon in Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Opening on First Thursday, August 4, 2016, La Cocina served as a gallery, theatre, presentation space, and arts incubator for some of Puget Sound’s most dynamic Latino/a/x artists.
Luminarias
Inspired by the simple paper bag lights that adorn buildings and illuminate pathways across the Southwest, La Sala proudly gathered and celebrated our Latina/o/x community during a very challenging time.
Find more information on projects from prior to 2016 here