“On The Move: Migration/Emigration/Immigration” A New Exhibit Opening At Gualala Arts, October 7

     Coming to Gualala Arts in October is an exhibit that will be of interest to everyone, particularly those who have been following ongoing issues associated with immigration.

     “On The Move: Migration/Emigration/Immigration” opens in the Burnett Gallery at Gualala Arts on Friday, October 7, with a reception scheduled from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Curating the exhibit are Mirka Knaster and Paula Haymond.

     Human beings have been on the move ever since they could propel themselves on two feet. The earliest indigenous peoples on any continent or island once arrived from elsewhere. No matter how long we’ve resided in a certain place, at one point someone in our family’s long history, or even our own history reveals family members who emigrated from one country and immigrated to another. And maybe the migration didn’t stop there, but continued across state or provincial lines.

     All kinds of creatures migrate, sometimes thousands of miles over land, through the sky or deep waters. Yet, barriers keep animals from roaming and individuals from crossing borders or entering harbors, denying refuge, often to those who need it most. Some factors push us out of our homeland and other factors pull us into another territory. They range from civil war, genocide, terrorism, gang violence, ethnic/religious/political persecution, environmental disasters leading to drought, famine, and loss of land to the simple desire for new adventures and opportunities.

     Artists bringing their work to "On The Move: include Andrea Allen, Carolina Barreira, Cynthia Brannvall, Donna Lynn Chase, Richard Custer, Sandra Fernandez, Polly Frenaye-Hutcheson, Chris Grassano, Paula Haymond, Barbara Johannes, Ken Kalman, Mirka Knaster, Lydia Nakashima Degarrod, Sharon Nickodem, Pam Powell, Peggy Wright, Consuelo Underwood, Dave Young Kim, Susan Zimmerman.

     Clearly this is a timely and highly relevant exhibit, due to hotly contested immigration issues that have affected our local Mexican community as well as the entire world. We also have a diverse community of individuals who have come here from a wide variety of countries or who were born to immigrant parents.

     The exhibit, “On The Move: Migration/Emigration/Immigration,” continues through Sunday, November 20.