The Exhibit Opens this week--Come and Celebrate on Friday, August 1st!

Dear Friends,

We are only a few days from opening the art exhibit, "Remembering the Struggle!" In this newsletter we've included details about the Opening Event, as well as the exciting press coverage we've received. Also, you can now reserve a copy of the commemorative poster designed and printed by artist Juan Fuentes. Read on for more details...

Opening Events on August 1st, 2008

2 pm Youth Mural Workshop | Taller de Murales para Jóvenes
Watsonville Plaza | Plaza de Watsonville

Youth of any age are invited to learn about the Watsonville cannery strike and participate in mural making with José Ortiz and Hijos del Sol. Los jóvenes están invitados a aprender acerca de la huelga de las empacadoras de alimentos de Watsonville y hacer un mural con José Ortiz e Hijos del Sol. Admisión gratuita

5 pm Viernes Cultural Event
Watsonville Plaza | Plaza de Watsonville

Remembering the Watsonville cannery strike through speakers, songs, poetry, and more. ¡Recordemos la huelga! Habrá oradores, poemas, música, canciones, y más.

6:30 pm Procession | Procesión

Procession with the former strikers, local unions, and the community from the Plaza to the Pajaro Valley Gallery. Procesión con los huelgistas, uniones locales, y la comunidad desde la Plaza hasta la Galería.

7-9 pm Public Opening Celebration
Celebración de Inaugaración
Pajaro Valley Gallery | Galería de Valle del Pájaro

Meet contributing artists, check out the art, and enjoy a Taste of Watsonville with local food and celebration. Codéate con los artistas y prueba y celebra “el sabor de Watsonville”.

Remembering the Struggle Featured on Free Radio Santa Cruz 101.1 FM

Weekly radio program indynewswire featured a 40-minute segment with our exhibit curator, Carmina Eliason, and host Danielsan, where they discussed the Cannery Strikes and their impact on the community of Watsonville. She also discusses the upcoming exhibit and related community events taking place throughout the month of August.

Listen: MP3 File

Newspaper Coverage

The Register-Pajaronian, based in Watsonville, was the first area newspaper to run an article on Remembering the Struggle - and it graced the front page! A reporter and photographer interviewed the exhibit curator for the story. Coincidently, we were proud to share the front page with an article on Watsonville's first-ever gay pride parade being organized by the Watsonville Pride Subcommittee of SOMOS LBGT. We are collaborating with SOMOS LGBT and other organizations to hold a monthlong celebration of diversity and triumph in the Pajaro Valley. In addition to coverage in the Register-Pajaronian, the Santa Cruz Sentinel and the Metro are planning articles of their own.

We've also gotten coverage on the San Francisco Bay Area's premier source for independent news - indybay.org. Right now we're featured on the front page. Thanks to Danielsan from Radio Free Santa Cruz for writing us up.

Commemorative Exhibit Poster Available for Purchase

PVAC and Remembering the Struggle are pleased to offer for sale “Margaret’s Dream”—a limited edition silkscreen commemorating the exhibit Remembering the Struggle (seen at the top of this email). These large colorful posters are individually hand signed by the artist Juan Fuentes. The poster was hand-printed by the artist and includes photos from the strike.

You can reserve your copy now on the Remembering the Struggle website.