Bayard Rustin and Champions of Justice events in Little Rock

Here is the new work I created for the Bayard Rustin Champions of Justice events in Little Rock next week. This is the final piece for my exhibit on social justice. I am honored to be a part of this event and look forward to seeing my Little Rock family again.

This work is 47" wide and 40 " high. Its various rainbow patchwork pieces representing a variety of issues and social justice work. This renaissance man appreciated the arts and work made by the hands of marginalized folks. I placed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his chest. His partner Walter Naegle will receive it from President Obama later this month. 

I look forward to seeing some of you at the events. The evening reception is listed below. On Thursday, November 14 I will be at the Little Rock Central High School National Park Site to share the exhibit with students and community. Then on Saturday, November 16 I will be exhibiting at Philander Smith College where there will be a viewing of the film Brother Outsider the Life of Bayard Rustin and a facilitated discussion with Mandy Carter.

More detail photos of the work below.

Creating inventory

Lots of labels for the inventory I am busy creating. The Etsy store under my name will be open soon. And I will post photos of the Bayard Rustin piece I am working on for Little Rock. 

Social Justice Art in Little Rock

I'm back in the studio working all hours. The festivals were fun and a lot of work but now its time to get back to my first love the marriage of art and activism. I am honored to be a part of an event in a city where I spent 10 years working as a cultural worker. This event in particular is close to my heart. It involves the organization I co founded and many folks dear to me. I look forward to the celebrations and reunions and sharing my art. I will share my latest work soon but for now its back to the studio.

Cool weather, creative energy, and the outdoors!

Cooler weather often brings more time outdoors especially attending farmers markets and festivals. Being in community with other artists, those who appreciate art and all kinds of creative folks makes for a great afternoon.There is always something to learn, share, explore, and experience. I had so much fun and exchanged great stories and energy at the last festival. I am excited for this Sunday's event. If you are in the Albuquerque area stop by and say hi! See the below for the details.

This festival is so close to Dia de los Muertos I decided to make a few sugar skull boxes to add to the mix. My booth will showcase these beauties, my one of a kind art scarfs, small Guadalupe mixed media wall hangings, and various ornaments and other mixed media wall hangings. I will be sure to take pictures of the booth to share.

Hope your travels take you outdoors to feel the sun, breathe the crisp fall air, and share a story and laugh with someone.

Final day of  three days of vending art at the Southwest Conference on Disability.

I feel like I just left the most unique amazing community. People helping people, showing love and honest concern, patience and understanding. Openly assisting others and giving gifts some tangible to one another. I have never been in a place where everyone accepted everyone for all of who they are and demonstrated such love and respect.

I sat with elders, folks with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, brain injury, all kinds of mental illness, PTSD, and Autism. Not to mention the various spiritual beliefs and nationalities and life experiences. All of us artists human beings first showing human kindness. Each of us giving to one another with out being asked just seeing where we could step in and lift someone up both physically and spiritually. We all gave and received only taking what we needed. Then passing on the love to someone else.

I am honored to be a part of this unconditional family where you can let it all out and its ok. In fact you are supported and encouraged to do so. I cant say enough about all the blessings, gifts, resources and new family members to visit. All I can say is that real true unconditional love is most powerful. Thank you for this experience that has changed my life direction and lifted my weary spirit. I look forward to the new journey we have begun. 

Oh and yes I sold some art, traded some, received some as gifts and bought a bit. Mostly we as a community of artists who respected each others journey created an art experience using people as our medium and it was amazing!

Thank you to those of you who purchased my art and stopped to share your story. Also thank you to those who work as advocates and activists for marginalized communities. Take care of yourself and I send you love, peace, and I stand in solidarity with your work.
Thank you, Gracias, Tlazocamati

Zozobra Art exhibit and festival - Zozofest 2013

Lets go burn away our worries! Please join us for Zozfest 2013 and check out the Zozobra art in Santa Fe. All this leads up to the burning of all your worries for a new start. Check out the details here:  http://burnzozobra.com/zozofest/

Here is my fourth piece for the Zozofest Art exhibit. This mixed media art quilt features the guest of honor Zozobra, embroidery fireworks, and the raw appliqué of the Gloomies that dance before the burning.

Zozbra Night in Santa Fe
(c) Sabrina Zarco 2013

Detail of Zozobra Night in Santa Fe Sabrina Zarco 2013

Detail of Zozobra Night in Santa Fe Sabrina Zarco 2013

Detail of Zozobra Night in Santa Fe Sabrina Zarco 2013

Zozobra the legend continues

Will Shuster and Zozobra

This is the artist who first created Zozobra and the legend for the city of Santa Fe,           

Will Shuster and the head of the giant marionette. To read more about Zozobra and the legend go here http://zozobra-sf2.nm-unlimited.net

Every artist their interpretation of what Zozobra looks like so here are two more of the four entires I will be exhibiting at the Zozofest Art Show in Santa Fe.

I had the itch to stich so I embroidered a portrait of Zozobra. Its a 17" x 12" piece and I added my signature bead and button border.

I havent made time to create in awhile so busy with the move and getting settled in New Mexico. As I explored the legend of Zozobra I had to get my hand into all the media I love to create with and so the collage on a big wooden Z was born.

Burning of all our worries away! Zozobra 2013

I am happy to share with you that I have several works that will be part of the Zozofest Art exhibit in Santa Fe. I will be sharing the various mediums I worked in to get ready for the exhibit. Read below for a Wikipedia definition of Zozobra the legend and the Fiesta.

Zozobra ("Old Man Gloom") is a giant marionette effigy that is built and burned every autumn during Fiestas de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico, usually during the second week of September. As his name suggests, he embodies gloom; by burning him, people destroy the worries and troubles of the previous year in the flames. Anyone with gloom that they need to get rid of can come by the offices of the Santa Fe Reporter in the weeks leading up to the burn to drop off slips of paper with personal gloom written on them. Many people put legal papers in the gloom box as well. At the festival the papers from the gloom box are placed at Zozobra's feet to be burned alongside him.

Fiestas de Santa Fe has been held since 1712 to celebrate the Spanish retaking of the city in 1692 by Don Diego de Vargas from the Pueblo tribes who had occupied the city since the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. The burning of Zozobra dates from 1924. William Howard Shuster, Jr. came up with the idea of creating the effigy, also called Old Man Gloom, and ritual burning. Zozobra means "anxiety" in Spanish. Shuster's idea was probably influenced by Mexican cartonería (papier-mâché sculpture), especially the effigies exploded during the burning of Judas that takes place on Holy Saturday or New Year's Eve, as a way of ridding oneself or one's community of evil.
Today in Santa Fe more than 50,000 people go to watch Zozobra, who stands fifty feet tall. His burning marks the start of three days of celebration that includes traditional mass at St. Francis Cathedral; a reenactment of the Entrada, when Don Diego de Vargas returned to the city; a Children's Pet Parade; and the Historical/Hysterical Parade. The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe builds Zozobra and burns the effigy at Fort Marcy Park. The Zozobra that was burned on September 7, 2007, was certified by Guinness World Records as the largest marionet the in the world, measuring 15.21 m (49.11 feet) in height. 

Today I share my version of Zozobra. I used found objects to create him. A trip to the thrift store provided me with the basics. First a happy smiling worn out Troll doll was the base. I covered it with clay and began the transformation from happy to worn with worry. 

Then the base was created out of an old lamp shade, wooden mug tree and can. Once assembled they were spray painted white for the base. Then I went to my sewing machine and made some clothes for the affair. For the skirt I gathered worries from several folks and hand stitched them into what was once a pair of sheer curtains. Once the "worries" covered the base of the skirt I added symbolic embroidery flames. 

Zozobra wearing his "worry" garment.
Hand sculpted doll with embroidery and hand stitched "worries" into the skirt.
(c) Sabrina Zarco 2013

Detail of skirt with embedded "worries"
(c) Sabrina Zarco 2013

Detail Zozobra doll (c) Sabrina Zarco 2013

Over the next few days as we lead up to the event I will share the art quilts and paper collage on wood. Hope you enjoy and get ready to release all your worries! 

Rain in the desert

Its raining again! I have always loved the rain. Walking, dancing, playing, standing twirling under the precious liquid from the heavens. Lightening and thunder providing a soothing back drop to the smell and cool breeze. Its a special kind of healing. And as I journey through life in the desert I have a greater appreciation for the magical wet stuff. Now I am off to stand in the rain and catch some of the rare precious drops in my rain barrel.

As the seasons change...

Its been awhile but I am back now. So many things going on and moving so quickly. I had to take some time to reenergize for the next transformation. I  will begin posting updates on my art, inspirations, life's adventures and lessons, moving to the Enchanted state (physically and spiritually) and more.

Life changes whether you are ready or not. So I am holding on for this next adventure. Send prayers, good vibes and positive energy!!!Thank you, Gracias, Tlazocamati

I spent some time in meditation and making art hearts in the snow. It was under the 13th full moon of the year 2012. Here are a few for you to enjoy. Make art and beauty whenever, wherever, and with whatever is around you!