Family Weekend Workshops: Speaking in Gabrielino
Overview
In conjunction with the special exhibition William Kentridge: In Praise of Shadows, on view through April 9, 2023, The Broad presents a daylong event for children and their families. South Africa—where William Kentridge was born and continues to live and work—is the focal point of his creative practice which includes drawing, filmmaking, printmaking, and sculpture, and speak about topics such as apartheid (a system of discrimination based on race) and other social wounds. Hands-on artmaking activities that explore personal history, cultural heritage, and mapmaking utilizing maps of Los Angeles will be punctuated by two live performances in Gabrielino, the Tongva language spoken by the first people to live in what is now known as Los Angeles.
Speaking in Gabrielino features performances by Tongva activists, artists, and educators Lazaro Arvizu, Jr. and Virginia Carmelo. Attendees will listen to the sound of the Tongva language as the two speakers dialogue about important issues including social and land justice. The piece speaks to the disappearance of languages as an outcome of colonialism and white supremacy. Curated by Lazaro Arvizu, Jr. First come first serve up to room capacity.
Family Weekend Workshops take place at the Oculus Room at The Broad and offer free activities and workshops to engage with the art on view in the museum. Workshops give families the opportunity to make their own artworks to take home, inspired by the Broad collection and works on view in the museum. Family Weekend Workshops are free with advance ticket reservations. Ticketholders also have access to the museum galleries where they can use the family audio guide narrated by LeVar Burton and participate in a scavenger hunt. Walk-ups without reserved tickets may be accommodated, pending capacity.
For Ages 3 and Up
This program is intended for children age 3+ and their families.
Timed tickets are available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Availability and entry are not guaranteed without a reservation. Families who reserve tickets in advance will receive a wristband when they check in onsite at the museum. Workshops are available to families with wristbands on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tickets include same-day access to The Broad, including our third floor collection galleries and our special exhibition, William Kentridge: In Praise of Shadows, during regular museum hours. Tickets do not include access to Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013) and must be booked separately here.
For information on our current health and safety policies, visit Know Before You Go & FAQ. Visitor policies are subject to change.
Schedule
Details
Lazaro Arvizu, Jr.
Lazaro Arvizu, Jr. is an artist, educator, musician, and researcher dedicated to the culture of the first people of Los Angeles. Born in the Los Angeles Basin, he is knowledgeable of the landscape and cosmology of the Gabrielino culture. He has worked for over 20 years facilitating creative and meaningful cultural experiences to people of all ages and walks of life, in many venues.
Virginia Carmelo
Virginia was born in Orange County, California and raised in Fullerton, California. Her paternal side is California Native American: Gabrielino/Tongva (Pronounced Toong–vey) and Digueno/Kumeyaay tribes. In 1974, Virginia received her B.A. from CSU, Fullerton, in Ethnic Studies. During that time, being influenced by and involved in the social movements of the sixties, she began dance studies that led her to study indigenous dance with two prominent masters in the Los Angeles area. Virginia was teacher to five of her 6 children for a 5-year stint of home schooling. Currently, they take part in preserving and sharing the Tongva culture. The family endeavors to revitalize Tongva tribal song, dance, story, and regalia. Today, the group “Toveema” can be seen performing both ancient and modern tribal song and dance at many prominent venues throughout Southern California. They take pride in the making of all regalia and instruments, using natural indigenous materials. In 2004, Virginia was led to research the Tongva language. A portion of the tribal language was recorded during the early 1900’s and last spoken around 1930. Thanks to linguist, Pam Munro and language programs, this California Indian language is being spoken again after 80 years being silent. From 2001 to 2012, Virginia served as a Tribal Council Member of the Gabrielino/Tongva Nation, the tribe indigenous to the entire Los Angeles Basin. From 2005 to 2010, she served as Tribal Chairperson. Currently, Virginia is a consultant and Cultural Educator, also dedicating time to activism and indigenous dance.
About Family Weekend Workshops
The Broad's Family Weekend Workshops offer free activities and workshops to engage with the art of The Broad. Workshops give families the opportunity to make their own artworks to take home, inspired by the Broad collection. Family Weekend Workshops are free but have limited availability. Entrance is not guaranteed without a reservation. Family Weekend Workshops are presented by Leading Partner East West Bank.
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