James Coats
Social Justice Poetry & Freedom Monologues
James Coats
Dates: Friday, September 8, 15, 22 & 29
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, 3855 Market St, Riverside, CA 92501
James Coats is a California writer in love with social dancing, fine art, and awkward moments which he talks about through his imagistic narrative poetry. He is a multidisciplinary artist, author, and educator born in Los Angeles and raised in the Inland Empire. He received his BFA from Cal Poly Pomona and his MBA from Cal State San Bernardino. As a creative change agent, he believes the arts can inspire the youth and influence positive change in the world. His first poetry collection If I had Lived was published in 2018. He is the winner of the 2021 San Gabriel Poetry Slam. In 2021 he founded the organization Lift Our Voices Education which hosts an award-winning workshop monthly called Be The Change: Social Justice Writing Workshop. He became the Artist in Residence at The Garcia Center for the Arts in 2022.
Cosmé Cordova
Helping Hands: Dry Point Etching
Cosmé Cordova
Dates: Wednesday, September 6, 13, 20, & 27
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Division 9 Gallery, 3850 Lemon, Riverside, CA 92501
Giant Paper Maché Puppets
Artist: Cosmé Cordova
Dates: Wednesday, October 4, 11, 18 & 25
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Division 9 Gallery 3850 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Cosmé Cordova is an accomplished artist and curator based in Riverside. Born in San Pedro de la Cueva, Sonora, Mexico, Cordova came to Riverside at a young age and has since made it his home. He is the proud owner of Division 9 Gallery, a vibrant arts space and hub for the local creative community. Through his tireless work as an artist, curator, and community organizer, Cordova has become a key figure in Riverside's vibrant cultural scene. He is committed to promoting creativity and living his dream to amplify underrepresented voices, creating and supporting a safe space for original artists.
David Dean Cruz
The Artistry of Fashion Design and Runway
David Dean Cruz
Dates: Monday, October 23, 30 & November 6, 13
Time: 4pm-6pm
Location: The Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties, 3855 Market St, Riverside, CA 92501
David Dean Cruz is a local drag entertainer known by their alter ego divaDean. They graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with a degree in Visual Communications and Costume Design for TV/Film. In 2013 they started their career in short films and fashion styling. Soon after becoming a costume designer for their own drag they are now a designer for many local drag artists. Laughter and Fun is how they love to enjoy their life so you will have a blast getting to know both personas they have.
Maggie Harrison
Movement for the Mind, Body and Soul: Yoga & Healing Sound Bowls
Artist: Maggie Harrison
Dates: Monday, October 2, 9, 16 & 23
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, 3855 Market St, Riverside, CA 92501
Maggie practiced yoga casually for 15 years before a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2015 changed everything. She searched for answers and found herself in yoga teacher training and earned a 200 hour certification. Incorporating a physical practice, Ayurveda, Holistic Nutrition, Mindfulness and Meditation into her life has sent her disease into remission. She is encouraged to share her experiences of healing; specifically–restorative yoga, yin yoga, meditation, and nutrition. In her journey she has worked with people recovering from spinal injury, not only for physical recovery, but the emotional recovery needed. As well as others with anxiety, depression and autoimmune disorders.
Erin Maroufkhani
The Mosaic Body: Collaborative Mosaic Making
Artist: Erin Maroufkhani
Dates: Saturday, October 7, 14, 21 & 28
Time: 10am - 12noon
Location: The Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties, 3855 Market St, Riverside, CA 92501
Erin Maroufkhani is a community artist, teacher, mother and muralist. She works with students and artists of all ages to tell the stories of their lives and communities through collaborative mosaic art and exhibitions. www.mosaicland.org
Cathy Maxwell
Wings of Freedom: Butterfly Mosaic-Making Class
Artists: Edie Motley & Cathy Maxwell
Dates: Thursday, September 14, 21, 28 & October 5, 2023
Time: 11am - 1pm
Location: The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, 3855 Market St, Riverside, CA 92501
Cathy Maxwell is a professional and collaborative mosaic artist. She has created murals for many public schools in the Riverside Unified School District, taught mosaic art classes for the Riverside Arts Council’s youth afterschool program, the Riverside Art Museum, and in her home. Cathy enjoys using ceramic tiles, mixed media, such as metal spiral binding coils, keys, screws, and jewelry in her portraits. Cathy has also designed and created mosaic wall art for the Children’s Hospital of Central California, at Madera. She is honored and excited to have been a collaborating artist for "The Rise! Mural" in downtown Riverside.
Edith Motley
Wings of Freedom: Butterfly Mosaic-Making Class
Artists: Edie Motley & Cathy Maxwell
Dates: Thursday, September 14, 21, 28 & October 5, 2023
Time: 11am - 1pm
Location: The Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties, 3855 Market St, Riverside, CA 92501
Edith Motley grew up in South Central Los Angeles during the 60’s and 70’s. She has always held a deep appreciation for the arts and the emotions and inspiration they provoke. After 40 years of Public Service Leadership, she retired and pursued art and community service full time. She received her mosaic training under the tutelage of Erin Maroufkhani and Maxwell Mosaics. She never imagined that she would be given the opportunity to participate in such a phenomenal project, as The “Rise!” Mural in downtown Riverside. She is forever thankful to her daughter, Rochelle, for believing in and encouraging her talents.
Ekaterina Orlovie
Freedom of Expression Mural
Tuesday, October 17 & 24
Thursday, October 19 & 26
Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Ramona High School, 7675 Magnolia, Ave. Riverside, CA 92504
Ekaterina Orlovie (she/her) is a queer Russian-born artist and muralist living and working in Riverside, CA. In 2012, she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon, where she mastered watercolor, fine art and printmaking techniques. For the last 8 years, she has called Riverside, CA home while continuing to work as a muralist, illustrator, and artist. Her work is inspired by folk tales, motherhood, and the natural world. She is involved in organizing local gallery shows and working on public art projects with The Artlands in Redlands and community-led projects including murals for Beautify Riverside.
Jennifer Phillips
Voices of Freedom Community Choir
Artist: Jennifer Phillips
Dates: Thursday, September 7, 14, 21 & 28 Time: 4pm-6pm
Location: Ramona High School 7675 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504
Jennifer Phillips is the choir director at Ramona High School where she directs choirs at all levels. Before becoming a choir director, she taught private voice and piano lessons to students ages 5 to 65. Ms. Phillips earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Arts Degree in Music Education from Kent State University. She was awarded the 2023 Vision for the Future Scholarship from the California Choral Directors Association. She looks forward to connecting with the Riverside community through the art of singing.
Ulises Rodriguez
Music Through Body Expression & Rhythms
Artist: Ulises Rodriguez
Dates: Tuesday, September 5, 12, 19 & 26
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California, 3933 Mission Inn Avenue Suite 103, Riverside, CA 92501
Expression through Movement & Music
Artist: Ulises Rodriguez
Dates: Tuesday, October 3, 10, 17 & 24
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: Division 9 Gallery 3850 Lemon Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Ulises Rodriguez is a Mexican born artist who migrated to the US in year 2000. He is a music composer, poet, and performer. Throughout his artistic career, he has studied, taught, and represented his community, both nationally and internationally. Focusing on influences of Son Jarocho and Afro Latin rhythms, he uses his art to create safe spaces, supporting our youth and communities.
Missy Townsend
Freedom Dances
Missy Townsend
Dates: Monday Sept. 11, 18, 25 & October 2
Time: 4pm-6pm
Location: Ramona High School, 7675 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504
Missy Townsend is an award winning dancer, choreographer and dance teacher at Ramona High School. She integrates dance, video production and inclusivity into her choreography with students. She created Dance Buddies, a dance collaboration between students with special and unique needs and advanced student dancers, in efforts to create equity, inclusion and dignity for her students of all abilities.
Selena Wilson
Freedom Intersections and Doorways: Poetry & Art Making
Artist: Selena Jane Wilson
Dates: Tuesday, September 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 4pm-6pm Location: Ramona High School, 7675 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504 Room 109A
Flight of Fashion: Creating Garments with Recycled Materials
Artist: Selena Jane Wilson
Dates: Tuesday, October 17, 24 & November 7, 14
Time: 4pm-6pm Location: Ramona High School 7675 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504 Room 109A
A visionary artist weaving community, nature, and mythology. Selena Jane Wilson lives in Riverside working as a high school art teacher, and is an active member of the local art community.