LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes - Jazzlyn Gonzalez Week 1


 Hi everyone! I hope everyone has had an exciting first week at their internship! Week 1 at LA Plaza in Los Angeles began July 5, 2022 and has been filled with new experiences and diligent research. I first learned more about La Plaza itself where the persisting influence of Chicano, Mexican, and Latinx culture within Los Angeles is shown in the art of the exhibitions as well as multiple programs. Learning about these different programs offered such as cooking lessons at La Cocina across the street has enlightened me on how large of a role museums can play in the community and teaching others about their culture. As a child, I had not spent much time at museums and I knew them only as quiet places to walk through and admire art and history. My time spent at Washington began to allow me to see that museums often offer more and can be places to connect with one's community and learn. As I spend more time at La Plaza and begin to see and involve myself more in the inner workings of the museum, I find myself personally witnessing this. 

During my stay at La Plaza, I've been tasked with aiding one my fellow interns Gema Guzman in planning the construction of an ofrenda that will be displayed leading up to and during Día de los Muertos. When I arrived, sketches had already been made of different themes and ideas for the ofrenda. Instead, I came just in time to aid in the presenting of the different themes to the Director of Programs and Culinary Arts, Ximena Martin, along with Director of Education and Community Education, Gina Alicia Lopez-Ramos. It was decided that an ofrenda with the theme of the monarch butterfly would be utilized. 

  The monarch butterfly in Mexico often symbolizes the visiting of passed loved ones during Día de los Muertos. This is because of their migration from North America to Michoacan, Mexico that occurs between September to October, allowing them to arrive right in time for the Day of the Dead. Additionally, the monarch butterfly within the Latinx community in the U.S. often symbolizes the challenges and perseverance of those who migrate to the U.S. for a better place to live as monarch butterflies also travel far for a new home. The monarch butterfly is a common symbol used by organizations fighting for the rights of immigrants and equity in policy. Because of this personal connection many in the Latinx community can make with the symbol of the Monarch butterfly as well as it's representation in Día de los Muertos, it was eventually chosen. Since then, Gema and I have been focused on planning the pamphlet for families that will be given for more detail of the ofrenda. This includes researching about organizations focused on aiding immigrants. Their information is planned to be in the pamphlet or potentially even make an appearance through booths. Activities that can be included in the pamphlet are also being planned and organized. 


While I'm not researching or discussing ideas with Gema, I've been meeting more of the staff at La Plaza and the education department has taken the other interns and I around Los Angeles to learn more about the city and its community. This includes visiting other art museums to familiarize ourselves with the art scene of the city and its different influences. We were also shown the different landmarks across L.A. as well as getting the opportunity to try the various local food of L.A.


Vincent Price Art Museum


An Old Tall Sears Building in East L.A. that has stood for 95 years


The Very Popular Grand Central Market

I hope to keep having an exciting time at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and continue learning more through my internship!


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