St. Paul, Minn. (April 12, 2017) — Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center – 788 E 7th Street- will open its doors to the public on Thursday, May 11, 2017 with an intimate opening Gathering and Blessings of Community Elders.
Indigenous Roots Cultural Center is a collective of artists and organizations dedicated to building, supporting and cultivating opportunities for Indigenous peoples and communities of color through cultural arts and activism. This community based multidisciplinary, multigenerational, multicultural center for Native-Indigenous/POC communities in Saint Paul, uniquely presents the many faces and creative expressions blossoming in the cultural scene of Dayton’s Bluff on the East Side.
The Indigenous Roots Cultural Center follows a similar model of the East Side Enterprise Center created by Dayton’s Bluff Community Council. The East Side Enterprise Center is a collaboration centered on increasing economic development opportunities to East Side entrepreneurs and residents, especially its diverse and growing immigrant and people of color populations.
GRAND OPENING WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 11 — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Opening Gathering and Blessings of Community Elders
Friday, May 12 — 7 p.m.
Prospección Exhibit Opening
Mexican Artist Emmanuel Sierra
The exhibit runs until Friday, May 19, 2017.
Emmanuel Sierra is a Mexican visual artist. He was born in Celaya, Guanajuato but was raised and currently resides in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. In 2012, he began his studies at the University of Guanajuato studying visual arts. During his studies, Sierra discovered his passion for abstract painting. He has participated in various group and personal projects, both within and outside of the Guanajuato. In 2013, Sierra was selected to participate in the University of Guanajuato’s Annual student art exhibition. In 2016, he presented a private gallery of original works in Leon, Guanajuato. His most recent exhibition was during the 36th Annual Festival of the Caribbean in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Prospección (Prospecting) through the art of painting. Explore- search- experiment- abstract- channel- conclusions- solutions- form- harmony- color. These are the stages and fundamental parts that are found during the process and the completion of Sierra’s artwork. Each piece reveals how Sierra has begun the constant search of the possibilities of the matter. Implementing the elements to arrive at a harmonious composition that has been sought and through the process of development it defines itself until arriving to its completion.
Saturday, May 13 — 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Grand Opening and Community Celebration Fundraiser
A day celebrating arts, culture and community! Cultural groups including Kalpulli Yaocenoxtli, El Arco Iris, Afoutayi, Native Pride Dancers, Ina Yukka, Wash your Dome, Alma Andina and many others will be performing on this epic Opening Day!
Saturday, May 20 — 3 p.m.
For Directions Exhibit Opening
The title of this project, For Directions is a play on words meant to encompass both the cardinal directions, as well as directions on how to be indigenous in the 21 st century. The concept of this show grew from efforts at Standing Rock where people from an eclectic range of cultures banded together to oppose Big Oil. This means to inspire artists and environmental organizations from all directions to unify and urge others to live sustainably and help us to combat the corporate entities that mean us harm. May 20 th to July 31 st , 2017, For Directions will exhibit art in multiple forms by indigenous artists from the region. Shows will take place in venues across the Twin Cities metro including All My Relations Art Gallery. Additional galleries hosting For Directions currently include Two Rivers Gallery, AIM Interpretive Center, Electric Machete and Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center.
The For Directions Exhibit is a partnership across the Mississippi between Indigenous Roots and All My Relations Gallery in Minneapolis. The Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center is hosting a variety of local artists in its gallery over the coming year. Stay tuned for details. This exhibit is open from May 20 to July 31.
For more information about the Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center-788 E 7th Street, please visit https://indigenous-roots.org or call 651-366-0006.
