The Witness Series
Exploring Indigenous, African American, Latino, and Asian Connections To Nature and Art
The Witness Series
The Witness Series is Artist Led, Nature Centered and Community Driven. The 4-part Witness Series 2024 will explore the many profound experiences that Communities of Color have in the Land of Southeast Texas. The series is co-curated in partnership with artists from the Native American, African American, Latinx, Pacific Islander and Asian communities. Every Witness experience is designed to bring communities together through the power of nature and provide historically under-served communities with greater access to nature-based opportunities. Attendees become co-authors, editors and observers as they take part in these participatory public art experiences centered around green spaces and environmental equity.
The Witness Series will again be captured by artist April M. Frazier , as she participates in each event. Through her art, we will be able to experience the power of community building and making in green spaces.
The Witness Series was created by Jaime González, a Houston-based conservationist and storyteller, and Kristi Rangel, Houston-based multi-disciplinary artist and education advocate. It is their shared belief that environmental equity is a basic human right.
For more info visit: https://www.thecollective.org/the-witness-series
4 GALLERIES
12 GALLERIES
Part 1: February 17, 2024
“Rooted”: Immigration, Migration and Green Spaces
Come and engage in a discussion with BIPOC artists panel about identity, place-making and belonging. This rich dialogue will provide the space to imagine different possible futures, highlight how art allows us to see the world in new ways, and encourage us all to come together to create climate solutions. Following the panel, attendees will be invited to take part in a Community "Counter-Cartography" Generative Poetry Workshop by Spoken Word Artist-Activist & Owner of Lualo Studio LLC, Jenah Maravilla. They will participate in guided meditation, create body maps and accompanying prose to illustrate the community's relationship between self and "home.”
February 18, 2024—Witness Opening Reception
Artist Opening
Sunday, February 18, 2014
3:00-5:00 p.m.
at the Climate Migrations Exhibit
POST Houston, X-Atrium
401 Franklin St.
Featuring works by Amenta B., April M. Frazier, Bennie-Flores Ansell, Ibraim Nascimento, Kristi Rangel and Rev. Vanessa Monroe
Part 2: March 23, 2024
“Bear Witness”: African American History and Connection to the Land
“Bear Witness” is held each year during the week of Ann Taylor’s birthday. Ann Taylor was born March 20, 1845, and would have been 179 years old this year. This participatory public art experience is designed to introduce the public to Ann Taylor’s life and journey. It features an artist lead Ancestor Altar that will be created at Ann Taylor’s gravesite. The altar will allow visitors to leave messages of love and good will. Along the park’s trail, attendees will bear witness to the natural beauty of the park and sound baths conducted along its trails. Narratives will be collected, on site, by the Houston Public Library’s (HLP) Gregory School that will become a part of the official City of Houston’s African American History archive. There will be an opportunity to create tree rubbings that will be a part of a visual art piece that will be produced later. Visitors will bear witness to the power of Ann Taylor's legacy through the beauty of nature, art and stories shared.
Part 3: April 27, 2024
World”Meditations/Meditacions”—Latino Connections to Wildlife and Nature in the East End and the World
Join us in exploring the 3.5-acre Brays Bayou Wetland Partnership at Houston’s Mason Park through Pablo Neruda’s poem “The Book of Questions.” Attendees will engage with bilingual writers, visual artists and environmentalists, as they meditate on the natural world around us. The Houston Audubon will provide a spotting scope at the wetland area and offer nature interpretation and bird identification. The art piece “The Red Chair” by Kristi Rangel will prompt attendees to “Be Here Now.” Latino Outdoors Houston will provide a child friendly family centered activity.
Saturday, April 27, 2024 9 am to 12 am
Mason Park
541 S 75th St., Houston, TX 77023
Part 4: May 18, 2024
“Digital by Nature”—The Art of Remembering & Visioning Using Smartphones, A.I. and 3D Photographing
Saturday, May 18, 2023 9am to 11:30 am
The Almeda Nature Reserve is located across the street from 15117 Almeda School Rd., Houston 77047.
It is suggested that all participants wear long pants and hiking boots if they have them or good sneakers with ankle support. Umbrellas to help with blocking the sun are also recommended.
Join Emerging artist Jaime González- a Houston-based conservationist and storyteller - as he leads a hands-on digital art workshop. Jaime will discuss how the prairie plants are a sense memory of the Indigenous peoples that preceded us, ethnobotany of the prairie plants, and how and why prairies are being saved. Attendees will make digital art using native prairie plants. Come learn how artificial intelligence apps and a 3D camera can be used to create visions of natural areas and/or greener futures.
Houston, TX 77047
Witness Series 2024 experiences are made possible through the Community Artists’ Collective with generous funding from the Jacob & Terese Foundation. This year’s events are done in collaboration with Bayou City Waterkeeper, Blaffer Art Museum, Chinese Community Center- Houston, Community Artists’ Collective, East End Management District, Grackle and Grackle Literary Services Harris County Precinct One, Houston Audubon, Houston Botanic Garden, Houston Climate Justice Museum, Houston Health Department, Houston Parks & Recreation Department Houston Public Library (HPL), Journey HTX, Latino Outdoors Houston, Lualo Studio LLC, National Wildlife Refuge System, and Nature Heritage Society- Houston.
Questions about the Witness Series? Please contact Kristi Rangel, Community Artists’ Collective Artist In Residence, at
