La Otra Taller Nepantla seeks to reimagine the dissemination of resources for lgbtqia+ Bipoc creatives of underrepresented genders; to include trans women, cis women, trans men, non-binary people, and those who are otherwise discriminated, by hosting writers, artists and healers for the first of a lifelong, biennial, one-month, creative residency for retreat, healing, research, and creation. Without the guilt, microaggressions, stress, financial strain and distraction often found in residencies, institutions of learning, in the workplace and even in our own homes, a small group of practitioners will reside together in a shared long-term vision that seeks to eradicate racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia and the “gatekeeper” model found in too many creative residency programs and creative professional circles around the globe. La Taller will take place in South Texas, and will serve as a solitary time for each creative to nurture a current individual project while also gaining the constructive feedback and professional and spiritual support of their Taller-Cohort, for a lifetime and beyond.
La Otra Taller Nepantla will take place in February of 2021 and continue on biennially with the support of community donations and animo. 2021 Nepantleras being awarded participation in the Inaugural residency are Ceiba Ili, Reb Mari, Alexandra Nichole Salazar, Natalia "Queen Paz" Glenn, Anel I. Flores, Brandy Garcia and Aminah. Residency will take place along an estuary of the Laguna Madre, under the blue skies of South Texas and among the songs of the chachalacas.
If you are interested in supporting the legacy of artists working through the vibras de Gloria E. Anzaldúa, please venmo Anel at @anelflores Your support will go directly toward supporting future lgbtqia+ Bipoc creatives of underrepresented genders; to include trans women, cis women, trans men, non-binary people, and those who are otherwise discriminated creatives in residency at La Otra Taller Nepantla.
Aminah Decé is a member of Return of the Matriarch, a Hip-Hop group completed by Andrea “Vocab” Sanderson. Together RoM has featured their message of youth and women empowerment at South by Southwest, Luminaria, The McNay Art Museum, The Carver Community Cultural Center and multiple schools and universities in the Central Texas region. Return of the Matriarch is preparing for The Bad Mama Jama Mixtape Remix and a long-awaited album, Queendom Come.
– “Comba Tai inspires me to give. I would not be where I am without the support of my village;without beings guiding and assisting me in maintaining balance.Art is life. I live a little, teach a little.”Her Imperial Highness,
Heir Apparent to the Royal Warrior Nation of Comba Tai,
Li’ilt Nidan,
Parham, Ami Nah Decé
is trained at the World Combat Academy, Institute of Martial Science and maintains degrees of The Humanities, Fine Arts & Art History/Criticism from The University of Texas, San Antonio.
– “See what had happened was.”
Under the pseudonym P16, she began her artistic journey as a slam poet in Killeen, Texas, discrediting the concept of white supremacy through a variety of media and performance. Her literary works have been published and broadcast through multiple platforms since 2005. Aminah’s most recent collaboration with San Antonio Museum of Modern Art responded to works from the Abstract Womanism Exhibition.
– “Hootie Hoooooooooo”
By day Aminah teaches Visual Arts at Kirby Middle School, influencing capable young people by blending their academic, social, emotional, & self-control traits to assist them in mastering the developmental tasks necessary to enjoy a satisfying & productive life. By night Aminah leads Progrés Studios and A o.K Art House to collaborate with local artists and organizations to create Happenings and conduct workshops in the community that promote the skills of self-awareness and trauma healing through creativity.
Please follow one of Las Otras at her blog as she documents her experience at La Otra Taller Nepantla