Mixteco
Artist: Hermelinda Lopez
Artist statement:
It’s an honor being part of this project and I am extremely thankful for this opportunity where my family’s culture along with others who share the same culture as me have part of our culture be displayed to the public eye. Growing up I had a complicated feeling of where I belong, not being able to speak Spanish or English intensified this feeling,as I grew up speaking Mixteco. Although I would say that many of the people around me had similar cultures and this is what allowed me to fall in love with my culture. Being able to share my culture fascinated me and finding similar characteristics to other cultures also really intensified my love for my culture. Watsonville is full of cultures outside of mine, to mean it was an essential key for my love and passion towards my culture. I was often surrounded by people with other cultures and we would often share our cultures in classes. Also when me and my parents would speak in our native dialect we would often be encouraged to speak it, and people would want to learn how to say some words. Watsonville has been the majority of the time really accepting towards learning about other cultures and accepting them with open arms. By having my artwork displayed others who enter the city will be aware of the different cultures that are existing in our city and hopefully would want to learn more about it. I would love for them to also feel proud of where they come from.
Sponsorship available
Current and Former residents of Watsonville that share this cultural heritage:
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