Edgar Fabián Frías's video: Creating Sacred Spaces with Chicana Artist and Altarista Ofelia Esparza and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens

For week 5 of Meditation Monday, I, Edgar Fabián Frías, had the honor of connecting with Chicana Artist and Altarista (altar maker) Ofelia Esparza and her daughter Rosanna Esparza Ahrens who are based in East Los Angeles. We discussed the power and pleasure found in creating sacred spaces and Ofelia and Rosanna shared their own stories of working with altars and the many ways in which altars have helped her and her community. They also shared their altar created for those who are currently suffering as a result of COVID 19 or the Corona Virus and informed us that altars are powerful ways for us to open up portals to our ancestors and loved ones. Altars are typically created on Day of the Dead but Ofelia and Rosanna also shared that they are meant to be created all year round and with different intentions. Truly an honor to connect with them and to learn from some of their bountiful wisdom and experience. Hope this can be of support for you as well! To learn more about their art studio, Tonalli Studios, please visit their site at: https://www.facebook.com/tonallistudio During the conversation, they brought up being filmed by KCET. Here's a link to the video they were talking about: https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/ofelia-esparza-brings-altar-making-beyond-dia-de-los-muertos takes place on @vpam_arts' Instagram Livestream and is a part of the Vincent Price Art Museum's a digital initiative dedicated to hearing from the many people who form our community. Through online conversations, blog posts, and activities, we check-in with artists, community members, and students at East Los Angeles College in an effort to promote virtual wellness and dialogue. VPAM Roll Call aims to provide opportunities to support one another while staying connected and inspired. To learn more about Meditation Monday and VPAM Roll Call, please visit: http://vincentpriceartmuseum.org/rollcall.html