Page 21 - the NOISE October 2012

George Averbeck’s ever-iridescent pumpkins are created before your eyes at the last “Blow Show” of the year, at Fire on the Mountain Studio October 5.
whether it’s personal or within a larger com- munity context across the borderlands,” Ms. Running told me in 2010, and two years later she still seeks to fulfill this calling.
This fall, Ms. Running is involved with the newest show at Coconino Center for the Arts, “Beyond the Border,” and at the same time is holding a sister show at the Flagstaff Photography Center.
“This is the first time the Flagstaff Photog- raphy Center is working in collaboration with Northern Arizona University’s Latin American studies, Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy, Flagstaff Cultural Partners, the Sierra Club, Borderlands, the International League of Conservation Photographers and No More Deaths,” Ms. Running tells me.
The Borderlands show is bilingual and is also taking place during Latin Heritage Month. Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Acad- emy students, in collaboration with No More Deaths, will be doing an installation in the Jewel Gallery of CCA.
“For me, one of the inspiring stories from sharing my work with the community is learning about the Flagstaff Arts & Leader- ship’s student volunteer projects down on the border. Janeece Henes, the art teacher at FALA brought her students to my show ‘Sue- ños de Aztlan,’ and the students were really in- spired to take action. ‘What can we do?’ they wanted to know. Two years later, they have volunteered with the humanitarian group, No More Deaths near Nogales. The students put out water for migrants and make survival kits for deportees. It’s different to be out there where these tragic stories unfold and in spite of all the odds, they are learning about hope and the human condition. At the end of October, they will be taking their first field trip to Rancho Feliz, in Aqua Prieta, Sonora and they will see another example of com- passionate action effecting change through fostering community and educational op- portunities in Mexico.”
“Different acts of humanitarian aid and ac-
tion is how we can change the world,” she tells me. “They’ll see the fence and kids their own ages. They’ll see both sides of the issue as youths; from failed policies to how human- itarian acts and the redistribution of opportu- nity can change the world.”
Downtown, at the Flagstaff Photography Center, 107 N. San Francisco Street, Ms. Run- ning’s show, “Neplanta: Tierra Entre Medio/ Between Worlds,” is a visual statement on the borderlands.
“Arts and Science are so important right now,” Ms. Running says. “They give voice to the stories of the people and the land affect- ed by the policies. This show is not meant to be political, but to raise awareness and create dialogue. This show represents the history of the great Southwest and Northern Mexico. My show will be dedicated to these issues.
“Neplanta is space we are divided and the space where we come together and is the place of hope, the crossroads of change. The borderlands are the crossroads for America. It is a really important place. How do we enlarge our view of the Americas? Not as separate, but as an amazing continuation of history.
“We are taught to think of ourselves sepa- rate from the people across the border. If young people knew the true past of the Americas, we would have a richer culture, we’d have more scientists and artists who help us comprehend our place in the world. It’s very important for young people to know their history. Teaching them to value their history and stories and to honor stories is a step towards healing.
“How do we take two things divided and bring them together? How do we bridge differences in our everyday life? How do we heal ourselves, the community, the world? This show is about making connections to the past and present. I hope it inspires peo- ple to explore new ideas.”
On October14 the Flagstaff Photography Center will be holding two special events. At
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