2020 Recipients

ALICIA ROJAS
2020

The grant supports the “Poderosas” project, which invites California communities to come together and celebrate the powerful women among us. The project includes a 6’x74’ mural as well as an 18‐page coloring book with bilingual poetry and an original song. The inspiration came from a desire to honor those who are too often invisible. Women, particularly women of color, are unsung "poderosas.” This mural is their song.

The colorful mural honors 11 Latina women in 8 paintings that includes their likeness designed with a unique color palette and native flower, representative of each woman's story and connection to California. Each image includes "pajaritas" (female birds) as symbols of peace and pollination. On a ribbon below each image, each woman's “paz” (peace) is written in Spanish and English.

Latina Breath of Fire Theater Ensemble
2020

Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble creates opportunities and leadership roles for Latinas in the visual and performing arts. Their aim is to produce work that reflects impacts and empowers the Latino community. They believe in the transformative power of theater and aim to raise awareness of critical issues in the community, entertain and challenge, foster cross-cultural understanding, foster cross-cultural understanding and be a catalyst for personal healing and social justice.