The Lines & Circles Families Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, December 8, 2009
Beyond the Tri-Cultural Myth: Eleven Local Families Celebrate Contemporary Santa Fe
A new exhibition of art and poetry puts to rest the myth of “tri-Cultural Santa Fe.” The city’s Poet Laureate, Valerie Martínez, and eleven Santa Fe families present mixed-media works of art and poetry that celebrate the breadth of community life in the capital city. The exhibition, entitled Lines and Circles: A Celebration of Santa Fe Families, runs January 15 through March 2010 at the Arts Commission Community Gallery in downtown Santa Fe.
For over a year and a half, Valerie Martínez, Santa Fe Poet Laureate, worked closely with three and more generations of eleven Santa Fe families who created unique family works of art and poetry. The goal of the Lines and Circles project was to nurture and celebrate the Santa Fe community, deepen bonds within and between families, and generate a body of art and poetry that commemorates city life. The family works and poems reflect the family name, family history, or simply the intergenerational collaboration that happened during the project. Participating community members include the Akers Hunt Covelli, Brown, Carmona, Goler Baca, Gottlieb Shapiro Bachman, Ingram, Martínez Ridgley, Ortiz Dinkel Hasted Wilkes, Quintana Gallegos, Salazar and Strongheart families. Over 60 family members, ages 5-90, participated in the project.
The Lines and Circles project was sponsored by the City of Santa Fe Poet Laureate Program and supported by the Lannan Foundation, the Santa Fe Literary Education Endowment at the Santa Fe Community Foundation, the First National Bank of Santa Fe, Littleglobe, Inc., Sunstone Press, and the 400th Commemoration of Santa Fe. A book about the project, published by Sunstone Press, will accompany the exhibition.
Valerie Martínez, the city’s poet laureate and artistic director, says of the project: “While many tout the landscape of Santa Fe as the city’s richest asset, the truth is that the people of Santa Fe, those that are here to stay, are its gold. The Lines and Circles families expand our notion of who we are and why we call this place home. These family works of art and poetry give us a lens through which we learn much more about contemporary Santa Fe—beyond the tri-cultural myth.”
The public is invited to the opening reception of the exhibition, on January 15,
2010.
The exhibition includes short films, music, audio oral histories, mixed-media pieces, installations, a four-generation quilt, a children’s book, and more. The following day the families will discuss their art and poetry followed by a feast of traditional family recipes. The city’s ArtWorks program will also sponsor related events and activities with public school students and their families.
Martínez adds: “In addition to creating special works of art and poetry that will stay with them for generations, the participants have come together, even more meaningfully, as families. They have also met, worked with, and become friends with families they didn’t know, across the “invisible lines” that tend to divide us, as city residents. The project has worked to deepen our sense of connection and fellowship in this constantly changing city.”
Lines and Circles: A Celebration of Santa Fe Families
January-March 2010
Santa Fe Arts Commission Community Gallery
Community Convention Center, Downtown Santa Fe
Opening Reception: January 15, 2010
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
Presentation by the Families and Family Recipes Feast
Saturday, January 16, 2010
2-5 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public
For more information, contact:
Valerie Martínez, Santa Fe Poet Laureate
City of Santa Fe
505-603-0866
valmatz@comcast.net
www.valeriemartinez.net
www.sfpoetlaureate.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A Santa Fe Winter Poem
FOLLOW ME
Who hasn’t driven north, up and over La Bajada Hill in dark December, to see the lights of Santa Fe unfurled--colcha, snowflake, electric mosaic? Hasn’t wandered the evening streets just to trace the silhouettes of walkways, houses and hotels, counting farolitos? Hasn’t driven past the Christmas tree lot on Rodeo Road just to get a whiff of fir, pine and spruce through the dashboard heating ducts? Hasn’t heard the downtown sound of cathedral bells muffled in snow wafting in wafers onto wrought iron and woolen elbows? Has not looked up from St. Michael’s Drive to the Sangres to search for the snow-covered horse’s head? And who hasn’t found a kitchen off San Ildefonso Road just to get out of the cold, down a half-dozen biscochitos, or knead the dough for sufganyot? Hasn’t sipped a free cup of homemade cocoa on Christmas Eve, a gift from residents who live along Canyon Road? Has not walked the ice-milked sidewalks of Water Street and found themselves flat on their back then pulled up by some stranger saying, “Whoa, you went down like a ton of adobe bricks!” And who hasn’t left town for the heart-bending dances at Santo Domingo then driven back to mark the little pines on the I-25 median, tinseled by some group of anonymous daredevils? Has not seen a kiva fireplace adorned with advent calendar, Menorah, bear fetish and ceramic Santa Claus? Hasn’t feasted on turkey with piñon and green chile stuffing, red chile mashed potatoes, tortillas on the side? And who hasn’t followed their grandmother lugging a wooden crèche from house to house during las posadas, the holy family looking for a place to stay, setting it down on someone’s porch then driving away? And the dry colds so cold you want to drench them, and the stars so close you want to lick them? He who hasn’t; she who has not, they who never have but are looking for a place to stay on some bone-cold Santa Fe night—-follow me; this is the place; this way is the way.
Valerie Martinez, copyright 2009
This poem will appear in And They Called It Horizon: Santa Fe Poems (Sunstone Press, 2010)
Who hasn’t driven north, up and over La Bajada Hill in dark December, to see the lights of Santa Fe unfurled--colcha, snowflake, electric mosaic? Hasn’t wandered the evening streets just to trace the silhouettes of walkways, houses and hotels, counting farolitos? Hasn’t driven past the Christmas tree lot on Rodeo Road just to get a whiff of fir, pine and spruce through the dashboard heating ducts? Hasn’t heard the downtown sound of cathedral bells muffled in snow wafting in wafers onto wrought iron and woolen elbows? Has not looked up from St. Michael’s Drive to the Sangres to search for the snow-covered horse’s head? And who hasn’t found a kitchen off San Ildefonso Road just to get out of the cold, down a half-dozen biscochitos, or knead the dough for sufganyot? Hasn’t sipped a free cup of homemade cocoa on Christmas Eve, a gift from residents who live along Canyon Road? Has not walked the ice-milked sidewalks of Water Street and found themselves flat on their back then pulled up by some stranger saying, “Whoa, you went down like a ton of adobe bricks!” And who hasn’t left town for the heart-bending dances at Santo Domingo then driven back to mark the little pines on the I-25 median, tinseled by some group of anonymous daredevils? Has not seen a kiva fireplace adorned with advent calendar, Menorah, bear fetish and ceramic Santa Claus? Hasn’t feasted on turkey with piñon and green chile stuffing, red chile mashed potatoes, tortillas on the side? And who hasn’t followed their grandmother lugging a wooden crèche from house to house during las posadas, the holy family looking for a place to stay, setting it down on someone’s porch then driving away? And the dry colds so cold you want to drench them, and the stars so close you want to lick them? He who hasn’t; she who has not, they who never have but are looking for a place to stay on some bone-cold Santa Fe night—-follow me; this is the place; this way is the way.
Valerie Martinez, copyright 2009
This poem will appear in And They Called It Horizon: Santa Fe Poems (Sunstone Press, 2010)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
From Chicago to New Mexico
Paul and I just spent a beautiful week in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs with his family. I love to visit there--the Christkindl German Market on Daley Plaza (drinking mulled wine, eating brats and fresh strudel) followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree with hundreds of Chicagoans. The lights along Michigan Avenue. A sumptuous Thankgiving dinner served up by Theresa and Mike Resnick. Breakfast at Max and Benny's.
Paul came to New Mexico over 24 years ago, as a freshman at UNM, and never left. And he'll never leave. He has lived in New Mexico as many years as I have, regardless of the fact that I was born and raised (to age 18) in Santa Fe. Paul is like so many others; New Mexico is home to them and they feel as fiercely devoted to this place, landscape, and people as those who have been here for generations.
This year, I am thankful for everyone who has made Santa Fe and New Mexico their home and who works hard to improve life for its families, for its elderly, and for those who protect the land and water, here, at every step.
I am also thankful for Paul, my family, my friends, and for all the amazing people who I've been able to work with in my tenure as Poet Laureate, including the Lines and Circles families. I am very lucky and very fortunate.
Paul came to New Mexico over 24 years ago, as a freshman at UNM, and never left. And he'll never leave. He has lived in New Mexico as many years as I have, regardless of the fact that I was born and raised (to age 18) in Santa Fe. Paul is like so many others; New Mexico is home to them and they feel as fiercely devoted to this place, landscape, and people as those who have been here for generations.
This year, I am thankful for everyone who has made Santa Fe and New Mexico their home and who works hard to improve life for its families, for its elderly, and for those who protect the land and water, here, at every step.
I am also thankful for Paul, my family, my friends, and for all the amazing people who I've been able to work with in my tenure as Poet Laureate, including the Lines and Circles families. I am very lucky and very fortunate.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
A Poem
HISTORY, APOLOGY
Long ago, in a class with N. Scott Momaday,
after reading his Way to Rainy Mountain,
considering a blurb on the back cover that read:
“This book nags at the White man’s conscience,”
a twenty-something woman declared,
that she would not and could not feel guilty
for terrible things her ancestors had done
that she had nothing to do with, and hated.
Michelle, a seventh generation New Mexican,
fingers tacos in a booth at Tomasita’s¸ says
"It’s hard to live this way, Hispanic, Latina,
whatever you want to call me, when I do love
our traditions, when mother’s side claims pure
Spanish blood, and knowing Oñate
and the others tore through this land hell-bent
on conversion, ownership, blood on their hands.
Was there no one like me, then, against these ways?"
And Luis, on the La Luz Trail, showing me
hoary cress, wild candytuft, Alpine clover, saying
"Which part of me is Navajo grandmother,
Chicano father, White mother? Feet to femurs,
pelvis to pecs, shoulder blades to the top of my head?
Sometimes, I don’t know where each begins and end;
they rage at each other in my veins. Someday,
I am going to write a letter to each man in me,
in me, Indian, Mexican, White, who never forgets."
Shé éí Valerie yinishyé—I know there is no way
to sever the blood ties that tether me to my ancestors,
to history. They are the same umbilical that roots me
in the land. I grieve for what my Spanish ancestors
wrought as a result of ignorance, greed, want,
and the dictates of far-off governments.
And if they also brought forms of beauty
(here, on the streets of this capital city)
I remember that there are no adequate reparations.
No. I apologize. I realize my obligation to honor
the survivors and their ways as if, one snowy afternoon,
I come upon their cave dwelling, camp, village, pueblo,
a half-woman asking for food, hearth, finished limbs,
and a heart made complete by association.
Long ago, in a class with N. Scott Momaday,
after reading his Way to Rainy Mountain,
considering a blurb on the back cover that read:
“This book nags at the White man’s conscience,”
a twenty-something woman declared,
that she would not and could not feel guilty
for terrible things her ancestors had done
that she had nothing to do with, and hated.
Michelle, a seventh generation New Mexican,
fingers tacos in a booth at Tomasita’s¸ says
"It’s hard to live this way, Hispanic, Latina,
whatever you want to call me, when I do love
our traditions, when mother’s side claims pure
Spanish blood, and knowing Oñate
and the others tore through this land hell-bent
on conversion, ownership, blood on their hands.
Was there no one like me, then, against these ways?"
And Luis, on the La Luz Trail, showing me
hoary cress, wild candytuft, Alpine clover, saying
"Which part of me is Navajo grandmother,
Chicano father, White mother? Feet to femurs,
pelvis to pecs, shoulder blades to the top of my head?
Sometimes, I don’t know where each begins and end;
they rage at each other in my veins. Someday,
I am going to write a letter to each man in me,
in me, Indian, Mexican, White, who never forgets."
Shé éí Valerie yinishyé—I know there is no way
to sever the blood ties that tether me to my ancestors,
to history. They are the same umbilical that roots me
in the land. I grieve for what my Spanish ancestors
wrought as a result of ignorance, greed, want,
and the dictates of far-off governments.
And if they also brought forms of beauty
(here, on the streets of this capital city)
I remember that there are no adequate reparations.
No. I apologize. I realize my obligation to honor
the survivors and their ways as if, one snowy afternoon,
I come upon their cave dwelling, camp, village, pueblo,
a half-woman asking for food, hearth, finished limbs,
and a heart made complete by association.
VM, forthcoming in And They
Called It Horizon, Sunstone
Press, 2010
Monday, November 2, 2009
SAGE Magazine 20 Women Making a Difference Luncheon
Please join me and nineteen other winners of the SAGE Magazine "Twenty Women Making a Difference" Award for a luncheon this Wednesday, November 4th at 11:30 a.m. at the Sandia Resort in Albuquerque. I am honored to be part of this group of women--their accomplishments are simply wonderful.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Today is my mother's birthday and I want to honor her for being an incredible inspiration and a wonderful and loving Mom. Happy birthday Exilda Marie Trujillo Martinez! Without her model of hard work, creativity, public and community service, and compassion, I wouldn't be who I am. Love you, Mom!
Recent and Upcoming Readings and Events
November 5, 2009
Authors' Panel: "Creative Voices" at the National Hispanic Leadership Institute, 2-4 p.m. Valerie, Teresa Bevin, Alisa Valdez Rodriquez, Juana Bordas and Dr. Emma Sepulveda, UNM. For more infomration, contact Rosalee Montoya-Read (505) 897-8785
November 4, 2004
Valerie was recently awarded a SAGE Magazine/Albuquerque Journal Award for "Twenty Women Making A Difference." Luncheon to celebrate all twenty award winners, 1:30-1:30, Sandia Resort
October 30, 2009
Reading: Dia de los Muertos Commemoration, National Hispanic Cultural Center Plaza Mayor
October 29, 2009
Mayor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Santa Fe Convention Center
October 22, 2009
Santa Fe High School, Julie Hasted’s English Class and the SFHS Poetry Club. Reading, Writing, and Spoken Word Activities with students.
October 16 & 17, 2009
The Santa Fe Book Arts Group (BAG): Celebration of the Book. Southside Library. Exhibition of Art Books (made by members of BAG), bookmaking and poetry activities with members of BAG and Poet Laureate Valerie
Martínez.
September 26, 2009
Reading: The 2009 National Book Festival, NEA Pavilion, Washington, DC. Other NEA writers/readers included Kay Ryan, U.S. Poet Laureate; Jane Hirshfield, Ed Hirsch, Ana Menendez, Ayar Zafisi, and Tim O’Brien.
Authors' Panel: "Creative Voices" at the National Hispanic Leadership Institute, 2-4 p.m. Valerie, Teresa Bevin, Alisa Valdez Rodriquez, Juana Bordas and Dr. Emma Sepulveda, UNM. For more infomration, contact Rosalee Montoya-Read (505) 897-8785
November 4, 2004
Valerie was recently awarded a SAGE Magazine/Albuquerque Journal Award for "Twenty Women Making A Difference." Luncheon to celebrate all twenty award winners, 1:30-1:30, Sandia Resort
October 30, 2009
Reading: Dia de los Muertos Commemoration, National Hispanic Cultural Center Plaza Mayor
October 29, 2009
Mayor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Santa Fe Convention Center
October 22, 2009
Santa Fe High School, Julie Hasted’s English Class and the SFHS Poetry Club. Reading, Writing, and Spoken Word Activities with students.
October 16 & 17, 2009
The Santa Fe Book Arts Group (BAG): Celebration of the Book. Southside Library. Exhibition of Art Books (made by members of BAG), bookmaking and poetry activities with members of BAG and Poet Laureate Valerie
Martínez.
September 26, 2009
Reading: The 2009 National Book Festival, NEA Pavilion, Washington, DC. Other NEA writers/readers included Kay Ryan, U.S. Poet Laureate; Jane Hirshfield, Ed Hirsch, Ana Menendez, Ayar Zafisi, and Tim O’Brien.
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