Community Guest DJ: Brenda Vargas
This month we’re featuring artist and educator, Brenda Vargas! Brenda was also one of the very first artists to rent a studio at Manos Sagrados, which we are still honored over.
Check out more on Brenda, and her favorite tunes here!
What do you do in the community?
I am a multimedia artist, but I love painting, printmaking, and photography the most. I also love curating. More importantly, I am a teacher. I work predominantly with middle school students, however, I facilitate a lot of workshops for highschool students as well. I love teaching Chicanx Studies, art classes, and about revolutionary movements.
Tell us more about your background.
My name is Brenda Vargas, I was born and raised in Southwest Denver. My parents are both from Mexico City, and my family's roots trace back to Pachuca, Hidalgo. My parents grew up in a time where state repression in MX was high, so they were politicized from a young age, something that they eventually shared with us. They migrated to California, and then Colorado, where they raised my siblings and I. Our household was always filled with political conversations and sometimes even arguments. From a very young age I had learned about resistance and had a deep understanding of our culture. I feel that this fueled my passion for art and activism.
Why does representation matter in your community work?
Representation matters in my community work because I often did not see that growing up. Growing up in an immigrant household, we were pretty sheltered, not really being out in the community and keeping more to ourselves out of safety. I went to schools with predominantly brown kids, yet, the staff never reflected that. I was never taught about my culture or history in school, I never saw brown doctors or teachers. It wasn't until I was in college that I saw representation in the spaces that I was in. That's 18 years of my life. I never want my students, or the future generations to have to experience that. I want them to feel pride in their diverse identities and cultures. Now more than ever do we need representation, but not just representation for representation's sake, we need it to be relevant to the struggles of our community, we don’t need sellouts, we don't need people or movements that see themselves above the people.
What’s one way the community can uplift voices like yours?
I am not interested in my voice being the loudest, I would love for the community to uplift youth and their voices. Youth have so many ideas, so many different perspectives. There is so much value in uplifting the newer generations. Part of that is engaging with youth and creating more spaces for them to be seen and to express themselves as well as going and meeting them where they are at. That's where we as a community need to start.
How are you involved with Manos Sagrados?
I had been in the artist studios at Manos for about a year, which was so special given that they were just launching the space. Although I am no longer in the studios, I fully support the mission and vision of Manos and all that they have to offer for the community.
Playlist:
Caifanes - La celula que explota
La Flaca - Jarabe de Palo
Luz de Dia - Los Enanitos Verdes
Been So Long - Durand Jones & The Indications
Siguiendo la Luna - Los Fabulosos Cadillacs
Desvelado - Bobby Pulido
Smooth Operator - Sade
Heaven Knows - 54 Ultra
El lado oscuro - Jarabe de Palo
Perdida en el Fuego - Los Espíritus
