516 ARTS welcomes Indigenous and Latina poets to read poetry in the gallery inspired by the exhibition Art at the Border: 21st Century Responses. These poets respond to mental, physical and geographical borders, with particular focus on the U.S./Mexico border. Come hear how experiences of defined spaces can change when rendered through art. This event is also a celebration of the one year anniversary of the literary journal As/Us: A Space for Women of the World, and is organized by poet Tanaya Winder, Editor-in-Chief.

Art at the Border: 21st Century Responses is on view at 516 ARTS through January 4, 2014. 516 ARTS is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 12-5pm.

ABOUT THE POETS:

Jessica Helen Lopez is a nationally recognized, award-winning poetry slam champion. Her first collection of poetry, Always Messing With Them Boys was published by West End Press.

Michelle Otero is the author of Malinche’s Daughter, an essay collection based on her work with women survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Cynthia Sylvester was born in Albuquerque to the Kiyaa’anni Clan for the Biliganna Clan. She was the recipient of the Native Writer Award at the 2012 Taos Summer Writer’s Conference and her flash fictions have been published in multiple journals.

Tanaya Winder is an educator, poet, organizer, and activist from the Southern Ute, Duckwater Shoshone, and Pyramid Lake Paiute Nations. She has a BA in English from Stanford University and an MFA in creative writing from the University of New Mexico.

Erika T. Wurth is Apache/Chickasaw/Cherokee and was raised outside of Denver. Her book Indian Trains was published by West End Press and she teaches creative writing at Western Illinois University.

Refreshments for this event are generously provided by Cuisine del Corazón, Chef Billy Brown.