Dance Pray Walk Barefoot and Take Legislative Action During Climate Talks in Paris

4:33 AM in action, and, Aqua, barefoot, climate, dance, during, in, legislative, paris, pray, take, talks, walk

The faith community and people of conscience in Albuquerque and Santa Fe took a number of actions during the conference on climate in Paris (COP21) on Nov. 30-Dec. 11. An interfaith vigil in Albuquerque brought members of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh and other traditions for a procession and a prayer service in Albuquerque on Nov. 30. The service, which was held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, was planned to coincide with the departure of Sister Joan Brown and Sister Marlene Perrotte of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light  to the talks in Paris the next day.  Below are a few snapshots of the service.

Rev. Sylvia Miller-Mutia and her family led liturgical dance

Father Warren Broussard, Sister Joan Brown

Necip Orhan

Ruby Kochhar and fellow member of Sikh community

Rabbi Arthur Flicker

Legislative Advocacy
The local actions in conjunction with COP21 included opportunities for advocacy and an activity on the Plaza in Santa Fe this afternoon (Wednesday, Dec. 2). The legislative advocacy efforts include actions at the federal and state levels. We are asked to urge our members of the New Mexico State House and Senate to pass the Home Renewable Energy Tax Credit and to advocate to Sen. Tom Udall to vote to vote to fund the U.S. contribution to the Green Climate Fund.

Barefoot on the Santa Fe Plaza

Organizers of the "Shoes of Solidarity" event asked people in the Santa Fe area to bring their shoes to the Plaza on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.  (or anytime thereafter until Dec. 11) in solidarity with the COP21 summit. "Please place your shoes on the grassy areas only. Take the time to invite your neighbors and friends to join you as a statement that New Mexicans want the climate restored to a safe, stable level, and that you want to see New Mexico leaders mobilize for serious climate action," said organizers, who created a Facebook event  to publicize the action.

Read more

Artists of Artstreet to Showcase Works During February

2:18 PM in Aqua, artists, artstreet, during, february, of, showcase, to, works

Images (left to right, top to bottom) Joe Goss, Tony & Julianna Pelletier, Sarah Sadler, R.L. Vallier, Brennan Diem

On Friday, February 5, the Harwood Art Center will open a gallery featuring works from the artists of ArtStreet through an exhibit entitled Recycled Heart. The annual showing brings the injustice of poverty and homelessness together while capturing the diverse, distinct, and highly individual response of the ArtStreet Artists to community chosen themes. The public is invited to the gallery opening, which will take place at 6:00-8:00 pm. 

The works will be on display on February 5-25 at the Harwood Center, 7th St. and Mountain Rd. NW (map), Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am- 5:00 pm, and 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Fridays.  

ArtStreet, celebrating its 20 years of service, is a project of Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless. The space gives artists – homeless and housed –– a common forum to share their experiences, coming together to make art and organize public exhibits like this. One component of the ArtStreet program is a community based open art studio.

"ArtStreet artists channel the potential within themselves and within discarded objects to create something new. They quickly learn to see media in a fresh way, enabling them to transform raw materials into works of art."   -from Recycled Heart post card

The exhibit is made possible in part with funding from the City of Albuquerque, City of Albuquerque Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, New Mexico Arts (a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs), the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Harwood Art Center of Escuela del Sol Montessori. 

Read more