MEZTLI PROJECTS

Meztli Projects supports the creative development of Native and Indigenous artists.

We were founded with the intent to address the severe lack of artistic opportunities for Native and Indigenous Artists as-well-as systems-impacted youth living and creating in Los Angeles County (Tovaangar). This work takes shape in several forms such as for-hire opportunities, advocating for truly equitable resources such as but not limited to funding and culturally authentic (not just relevant) programming, and training future and emerging cultural workers. 

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REFRACTIONS

Contemporary Indigenous Art


On view: November 3, 2024 to May 11, 2025
Annenberg Community Beach House (Event House Gallery): 
415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90402




Kimberly Robertson | Left to right: Deer Woman (pink), Deer Woman (blue), Deer Woman (purple), Deer Woman (peach), 2024
Metal hangers, plastic and wood beads, lipstick knives

REFRACTIONS Contemporary Indigenous Art

Curated by Joel Garcia and Kenneth Lopez of meztli projects, an Indigenous-based arts and culture collaborative





Untitled, Kenneth Lopez, 2024
woven paper, photograph


Emma Robbins,...with a sincere desire to encourage said tribes in acquiring the arts and habits of civilized life...., 2018, 500 needles, flannel, thread | 15 x 9 1/2 in
On view: 11/3/24 - 5/11/25

Refractions, Contemporary Indigenous Art is a collection of contemporary artworks by Native and Indigenous artists from or connected to the Los Angeles region. Their work provides a deeper understanding of the present-day experience of Native and Indigenous communities, influenced by pop art, graffiti, nostalgia, and the beauty found within “the in-between” spaces of identity.

Refraction is the phenomenon of light and radio waves being deflected as they pass through matter. Similarly, the work of these artists parallels this phenomenon where acts of survival, technologies of abundance, futuristic strategies, and simply “being” interact with the impacts of colonization, racialization, settler colonialism, nationalism, and other imposed systems, ideals, and occupation.

The artists in Refractions understand Los Angeles through the embodied sombré Indigenous Peoples navigate cities with. Drawing from the callbacks to the land in the works of Joel, Isaac, Kenneth, and Samantha and the tribal affirmations seen in Cara's and Weshoyot's images, the tender and intimate moments created by Emilia and Mercedes or the symbolism in River’s, Melissa's, and Daniel's iconography, or the rebel spirit offered from Emma, Gerald, Kimberly and Thundr, along with the collective memory and knowledge building held in the baskets by the Great-Granddaughters of Ysabel of the village of Tobpet — these images are informed by this place temporarily known as Los Angeles and forever known as Tovaangar.

In that sombré, in that blending of experiences and lineages colored by the land, these image makers, timekeepers, and medicine makers witness the land reclaiming us.

Artists: 
Weshoyot Alvitre
Theresa Jean Ambo
David Calvillo “Thundr One”
Gerald Clarke
Emilia Cruz
Mercedes Dorame
Ricardo EstradaJoel Garcia
River Garza
Dolores Gonzales Stewart
Daniel Gonzalez
Melissa Govea
Samantha Johnson Yang
Kenneth LopezEmma Robbins
Kimberly Robertson
Abigail Gabriella Rodriguez (5 years old)
Ramona Lynn Rodriguez
Cara Romero
Kelly Leah Stewart
Isaac Michael Ybarra
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Waning Crescent: 
a meztli projects group show


On view: June 12 to July 19, 2025
OXY ARTS: 4757 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042





Exhibition Photos by Miranda Aquino and OXY Arts    
                                                                                    
Waning Crescent, a meztli projects group show        

This group show celebrates the journey of meztli projects in supporting Native and Indigenous artists. The exhibition features works created between 2024 and today by artists engaged in their collaborative ecosystem. These pieces signify a new phase for the artists, showcasing growth into new creative realms. For instance, River Garza and Emilia Cruz have evolved toward sculptural work, Kimberly Robertson's intricate beadwork creations into large beaded tapestries, and Kenneth Lopez's documentary photography blended into woven visions.

Meztli is the Nahuatl word for "moon." For this collective, the moon and its phases symbolize their approach to cultivating relationships with young Indigenous artists, culture bearers, and the general public. Taking time to reflect on important values such as stewardship, the meaning of reindigenizing spaces and technologies, and the deep connection between ceremony and artmaking. Their work mirrors the changing seasons and is responsive to the moment.

A waning crescent represents the small sliver of the moon visible just before it enters the New Moon phase. This exhibition symbolizes what comes next for meztli projects and highlights their partnership with OXY ARTS, which has hosted various creative efforts and exemplifies a nurturing, reciprocal relationship for Indigenous artists and institutional spaces.

Exhibiting artists include:

Rihanna Barrera
CJ Calica
Emilia Cruz
Joel Garcia
River Garza
Skyler Green
Kenneth Lopez
Kimberly Robertson
Aanii Tate
Alexandria Ybarra
Isaac Michael Ybarra.




Exhibition Photos by Miranda Aquino and OXY Arts 


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