September 2025: Soil, Culture and the Invisible Structures of Belonging
Showcasing the work of Eduardo Cruz, Zhanna Tsytsyn and Nho Ngyuen
Soil, often overlooked, is the quiet architect of life. Beneath our feet lies a dynamic world of biodiversity—a complex, living system that nourishes plants, sustains animals, and ultimately supports humanity. Just as rich soil fosters resilient ecosystems, cultural diversity strengthens the fabric of society. Countries shaped by immigration are uniquely positioned to cultivate something unprecedented—a social ecology rooted in mutual respect and radical inclusivity.
Diversity here is not a challenge to be managed, but a source of vitality, creativity, and sustainable growth. A win-win future is possible—one where no one’s identity must be diminished for others to belong. Universe offers a model for this possibility. Plant, nor animal, nor stone obey human-imposed borders. They travel through wind, water, earth and sky. We, too, are carriers of memories, migrations, and multiplicities. These inner and outer landscapes shape who we are. In this way, we are not separate from the natural world; we are extensions of it, composed of the same elements.
Masks are an integral part of this exhibit, emerging as potent vessels of transformation - more than symbols of concealment or ritual, they serve as interfaces between histories and futures. They are blueprints for futurity, expressions of hybridity and resilience that bridge time, identity, and ecology.
Ultimately, this exhibit asks us to rethink foundations—both literal and metaphorical. Soil, culture, and community are living systems. When nurtured with care and imagination, they can support not just survival, but flourishing. We are already entangled in one another’s roots. The question now is: what will we grow together?
Join us for the Opening Reception, Friday, September 5 from 5-8pm and the Artist Talk on Saturday, September 20 from 1-2pm.