Guatemala & Japan
Artists: Ana Hudson (Japanese) & Melina Avraamides (Guatemala)
Ana Hudson’s Statement:
I’d like to begin by thanking everyone who made this this opportunity possible not only for myself, but for everyone who participated and for those who are allowing me to share my personal reasoning behind my artwork. Being able to say I’m apart of Watsonville’s Brillante project is such an honor and an an amazing opportunity as a young adult and artist. Though I was not origanlly born in the states, but was adopted out of Guatemala into a beautiful family, I got the chance to grow up in such an a amazing community with talented and passionate people here in Watsonville. It feels amazing to be apart of something that demonstrates diversity, open mindedness to the individuals who live in our community, and being able to feel accepted brings such a special warmth to my heart. I grew up in a household, where we didn’t necessarily have a specific religion we were “bound to,” yet celebrated traditional holidays and other holidays like Hannukkah. I also wasn’t connected to any heritage where I was born, so I always felt, somewhat absent in that aspect. I began attending the summer camp, Kokoro no Gakko, at the Watsonville Buhhdist Temple during the summer, starting in 2015, as a fourth grade student, and was immediately inthrawlled with the heritage, language, and the spiritual aspect of the Japanese culture. Everyone there made me feel so welcomed, loved, and allowed us students to connect with many aspects of the culture. Whether that was music, the arts, cuisine, attire, and traditional holidays, they had something for everyone. By the time I had graduated the camp, not only had I made lots of friends, but I had adopted the culture, to honor, as my own. As a result of this experience, I choose to submit a design for the Japanese heritage for the Brillante project, incorporating a red dragon for good luck or good fortune to the home it’s protecting, which symbolizes my home, or Watsonville itself. Thank you very much.
Sponsorship available
Current and Former residents of Watsonville that share this mix cultural heritage of Japanese and Guatemalan:
- Hudson
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