We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We Celebrates 20 Years of Homegrown Art and Slanguage Studio’s Lineage

 Angels Gate Cultural Center or AGCC presents a new contemporary art exhibition, We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We, on view Oct. 22 to Dec. 10. Co-curated by Gloria Gem Sanchez and Jynx Prado, this group exhibition pays homage to the de facto art school and artist-run space, Slanguage Studio, started in 2002 by artists Mario Ybarra Jr. and Karla Diaz in Wilmington, California. We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We opens with a free public reception at Angels Gate Cultural Center on Oct. 22..

We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We includes art by 20 Slanguage alumni: Yadira Agredano, Ben Avila, Raul Baltazar, Karla Diaz, Sarita Dougherty, Gaby, Alonso Garzon, Ed Gomez, EJ Hill, Raghubir Kintisch, Antonio De Jesus Lopez, Amitis Motevalli, Aydinaneth Ortiz, Perl, Jynx Prado, Felix F. Quintana, Guadalupe Rosales, Marlene Tafoya, Arnoldo Vargas and Mario Ybarra Jr. A visual overview of Slanguage pedagogy, each artist shares their unique approach to creating through intent, content, context, production, distribution and documentation. Drawing, painting, sculpture, fiber art, photography and installation merge to exemplify the critically conscious, fantastical and community-centered essence of Slanguage Studio.

Founded 20 years ago by Mario Ybarra Jr. and Karla Diaz, Slanguage Studio opened its doors to the community of Wilmington as an artist-run space. Slanguage has since expanded its creative teachings, aspirations, and community engagement globally to creatives, innovators, and teachers of all backgrounds. This exhibition is composed of artists who have grown individually in their practices through mentorship and co-creation. Many of the artists have contributed to the development of Slanguage as the de facto art school it is today, inspiring “folx” to engage and impact different communities, identities, and generations with the pedagogy of Slanguage. We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We is an homage and oeuvre of many generations that have contributed to the history, community-centric values, conscious intent/ content and intergenerational, alternative learning space of Slanguage Studio. 

Slanguage-led programming will create additional opportunities for nuanced public engagement in the following free public events:

• 1:30 pm to 3 p.m., Nov. 5 – Spoken word workshop and open mic with Aquí Collective
• 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., online Nov.15 – Bodies as Primary Sites of Learning workshop with Sarita Dougherty
• 3 to 4:30 p.m., Nov.19 – Slanguage Across Generations panel talk at open studios day

We Run Things, Things Don’t Run We will be on view in the AGCC galleries Oct. 22 to Dec. 10, with open gallery hours Thursdays to Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Time: Public reception 2 to 4 p.m., Oct. 22
Cost: Free
Details: angelsgateart.org
Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro