Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela

Honored to share that my work is one of 34 from the US and 33 from South Africa selected to be a part of the exhibit, Conscience of the Human Spirit: The Life of Nelson Mandela. This two year traveling exhibit opens July 2014 in Johannesburg. It will travel the US and South Africa and is organized by Michigan State Art Museum

Solidarity is More Than Black and White © Sabrina Zarco 2014

Take a vacation to your soul

I know its been said before, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Well it happened to me and its been like riding the waves of the wind up and down but always moving. I look forward to settling in and letting my roots stretch and take hold.

I changed my day job due to lack of grant funding and then this past summer I moved to full time artist. In the midst of all this I had 3 physical home moves in 3 years and one within a few months of the other. So the wind blew me to New Mexico and I am finally moving into my house and studio soon. Its still very surreal. And Im still waiting to catch up with myself. 

It sounds magical and I wish I could feel it. Seems I am fighting major stress and meltdowns. Research says large changes cause stress and as an Autistic person stress is already a way of life; so for me its been a heavy load to carry.  I am working hard to keep going. To have the joy of  dreams come true, changing the direction of my career, and entering a new chapter of my life. It is overwhelming, exciting, and very challenging.

Underneath it all I knew I had to go back to center. As I stood on the edge ready to crash under the stress and uncertainty I somehow heard my soul calling me. I had to catch myself and its not always an easy task. So I stopped everything and took a vacation to my soul.

We drove through the mountains where you can let go and be reminded that you are part of a larger picture. Where the wind sounds like ocean waves. And if you look up at the right moment you can see the wave move through the trees on its way to wash over you.

Where each step you take is a journey back to who you know you are but somehow got lost in the grass. Got tangled in the dead leaves of the past.

And then you see your reflection in the lake. And begin to smile because even though the journey is challenging you see a glimmer of your stregnth.

And then there is the magical sound of moving water. Its always a healing sound for me. Water that doesn't stop and nothing can get in its way. The proof that it keeps going is evident as you hold the weathered stones and branches pushed along the shore. And you remember you that you too can keep on going.

And then you enter a magical place with a pool of emerald green. A place where you can feel the ancestors gather. You become aware of your breathing and heartbeat. And the stress, fear and anxiety begin to melt into the water like the snow on the banks. 

And then the universe sends you a smile! (Yes I found this rock exactly like this with a natural carved face.) Then a deep breath and your soul smiles back and you know its all going to be ok.

New mantra: The universe is conspiring in my favor. And it is not mine to determine the how. Stay present, be thankful and open to receive.

Blessings, love and good energy for you on your journey. Take a moment and reconnect with your soul. Gracias Thank you Tlazocamati Ometeotl 

Amor y Amistad Day of Love & Friendship

As a Chicana I celebrate holidays and traditions bi-culturally. In Mexico and a few other Latin American countries Saint Valentine's Day is know as Dia de amor y amistad (Day of love and friendship). Its a time to let your Beloveds know you care. Its not uncommon for it to be a day of acts of appreciation for friends. 

Cultural Worker's Dream Pillow © Sabrina Zarco 2014

Embroidered symbols and the words 

Love, Peace, Justice, Freedom, Change, Equality,

 Action, Power, Unity, Voice, Vision and Art

So on this day of speaking out loud the names of those we love and treasure in friendship I choose to honor and send big love to

- my teachers, mentors, and path finders on this Good Red Road.

- my Beloveds,  the ones who share my daily life with love, commitment, and passion. Not always an easy task.

- my children I am honored you call my Mom

- my Autism family for your special way of seeing and experiencing the world keep strong in our self advocacy work.

- all my Beloveds I call sisters and brothers and family who have crossed my path on this journey, blessings. 

- the four legged and winged ones you add so much to my life.

 - you cultural workers, social justice workers who keep the stories alive and keep fighting the hard fight for dignity and justice. 

 - the true change makers who walk daily challenging bigotry at every turn.

- my artist family, creative brothers and sisters who tell the stories that need to be told in cloth, on walls or canvas, in spoken word or song, in gardens, kitchens, and classrooms.

So Happy day of Love to all of you and thank you for your gifts of inspiration and living by example. 

May the places you visit in Spirit and body today be welcoming to you and yours and know that you are loved!

For Paul C. Gorski in love and solidarity

 For many of us doing cultural work, social justice work, movement work, community education and organizing we know we walk in the footsteps of those that came before us. And if we do our work well we pave new paths for those that follow. I am honored to share with you a very special work for a very special brother friend Paul C. Gorski.
If you do not know about this gentle amazing man take some time to explore and share his work. For starters go here http://www.edchange.org/who.html

Several years ago I coordinated a conference and asked him if he would share his wisdom. On a small budget he generously donated more than we could expect and touched many lives the three days we spent together. Especially mine. I had gown weary doing the work each year not feeling appreciated or seeing any kind of movement in the community. Sometimes change work moves slower than a snail's pace.Thats when Paul shared in his gentle way that things were moving and I was working in the right direction. He gave me insight to his life and challenges in only the way another warrior in the journey can do. I thank you for my renewed spirit and vision to move forward with my work.

We spoke many times and unknowingly we had deep connections and intersections to those that inspired us to do the work. I was honored he shared this wonderful woman with me, his Grandmother.

As a thank you for time energy and giving of his spirit I created this work in memory of his inspiration. May this art gift serve to remind you Paul that you are never alone in this work. We carry those that came before with us on this journey as we walk along side one another and make fierce new paths for those that follow. You inspire me and excite me and am blessed to call you inspiration, friend, and brother. I love you.

This is repurposed fabric and buttons, hand embriodery, photo image transfer, and inktense pencils.
© Sabrina Zarco 2014

Mandy Carter and Bayard Rustin

Sometimes when you create the ripple effects are beyond what you can ever dream. I am blessed and honored to say that the Bayard Rustin work is now in the collection of Mandy Carter. 

Once the work was complete I shared it online and received a great response. I created it for a social justice exhibit in Little Rock. My long time friend Pam Mc Michael of the Highlander Center said she had to have the work as a gift for Mandy Carter another long time friend. You see Mandy has worked tirelessly for many years on educating the community about the amazing work and life of Bayard Rustin. I was thrilled at the idea. I was even more thrilled to hear that Pam offered the idea to a group of community members who know Mandy. They all wanted to be a part of the gift and as a community purchased the work. As an artist that makes my living on exhibiting and selling work this to me was the most beautiful way to honor and celebrate a fellow activist. A community gift to honor a community leader. It is so powerful when we stand in solidarity to do the work and even more important when we stand with one another to celebrate!

I look forward to Mandy's visit to my home this summer as she takes a long overdue step back from work and just share in community. May you remember to take time to celebrate with your community the work that you do to make it a better place for all.

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.