mopa exhibit: "conversations in art, dignity"The Poetic Nostalgia Workshop Series was created by TheUMACollection in collaboration with The AjA Project as a 2-month creative space for storytelling, reflection, and artistic exploration. Work developed through the series was later invited to be showcased at Conversations in Art: Dignity at The San Diego Museum of Art.
Conversations in Art: Dignity is an initiative that invites local artists to engage in meaningful dialogue with works from the Museum’s permanent collection and loans. This first installment centers on the theme of dignity—what it means, how we recognize it, and how art helps us reflect on it in ourselves and others. Artists Hugo Crosthwaite, Anthony Sigala, Cat Chiu, and Shinpei Takeda with The AjA Project created new works inspired by pieces in the collection. Through inclusive, interactive elements, visitors are encouraged to share their own perspectives and help shape a collective understanding of dignity. The project was made possible in part through collaboration with Alliance San Diego, whose commitment to dignity and justice helped bring this dialogue to life.
The Poetic Nostalgia Workshop Series offered participants the opportunity to create and enhance their writing through workshops hosted by The AjA Project and TheUMACollection. Participants received guidance and inspiration from Back Alley Poetry Club Season 1 members, a thoughtful writing workshop by Sab Abille focused on film, an editing and mentorship session by Johnnierenee Nelson, and a final session with Maataa Naakee, who explored poetic nostalgia through sound. This program invited participants to reflect on their past and create poetry that evoked poetic nostalgia—drawing from their identity and lived experiences to tell their stories through poetry.
The Poetic Nostalgia Workshop SeriesOur work speaks for itself.
CREATING ART THAT HEALSThe series not only provided creative writing workshops, but also fostered community-building by bringing together artists and participants in a shared space of reflection, collaboration, and storytelling, strengthening connections through collective creative expression.
