Israel & Russia
Artist: Sophia Sobieraj (Russia) & Heidi Alonzo (Israel)
Sophia Sobieraj’s Statement:
My cultural heritage means many things to me. The cultural practices of my ancestors have evolved over time to what I now know. Knowing that I am a part of history and I will pass down cultural traditions for generations to come to learn about. I care a lot about my ancestors and what they do means a lot to me. When my great-great grandparents came to the United States from Russia in the late 1800s-1900s they farmed. They resided in Madera and grew food for themselves, along with grapes to make into raisins and sell. Because Watsonville is such an agricultural town I appreciate my heritage through it. I think its really cool to be a public artist. I like that other people can see what I’ve created and sharing it with other people. I find it very neat that people can look at my art and enjoy it the way I enjoy other peoples art.
-Sophia Sobieraj
Heldi Alonzo’s Statement:
Heidi Alonzo has been creating art in the Bay Area and the central coast of California since she earned a BFA in painting and drawing from San Jose State University in the early nineties. In 2020-23 she returned to SJSU and earned an MFA in Pictorial Arts. She has enjoyed guiding others to discover their own artistic abilities as a teacher since 2004 at St. Francis High School Salesian College Preparatory. Heidi is also on the Board of Directors of Community Arts & Empowerment and is our principal designer for our sponsor panels.
Sponsorship available
Current and Former residents of Watsonville that share this mix cultural heritage of Russian & Israel:
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