UNCERTAIN TIMES CREATIVITY AMIDST PANDEMIC AND PROTEST LA QUINTA MUSEUM interview JORGE PEREZCHICA
“In these uncertain times...” The La Quinta Museum has invited local artists to explore the questions we’ve all been grappling with: anxiety and peace, scarcity and abundance, solitude and connection, bleakness and beauty, confusion and clarity. Each of us is experiencing these uncertain times in a different way, and through this exhibition, we can connect with the insights of others, delve into their expression, and weave a network of experiences that add to our own. Coachella Magazine interview with Marian Moctezuma, Museum Associate at La Quinta Museum Tell us a bit about your background and duties at the La Quinta Museum? Hi! I am Mariana Moctezuma (she/her/hers) a museum professional who is lucky to call both the Coachella Valley and Mexico City her home. After graduating I worked in the Museo Franz Mayer and the Museo del Objeto del Objeto MODO in Mexico City, and in 2018 I started my job at the La Quinta Museum. La Quinta Museum is a free admission communityfocused museum which mission is to preserve the past, enrich the present and enhance the future for all
generations. Since we are a small museum, Museum Director Sharla Fox and staff members Kim Richards, Ann Wolfe and myself work together on planning, creating and installing our temporary and permanent exhibits as well as running the programs we offer to the public. I would say my favorite part of the job is designing and installing exhibits and also managing our social media platforms. Many businesses were forced to close due to the COVID-19. What impact has the pandemic had on the museum in 2020? What obstacles has it overcome? The museum has been closed to the public since March, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At first It was challenging to adapt to new modalities because the museum used to be a space to meet for social interaction before pandemic times; nonetheless, we were able to learn and create a virtual space where we could still connect with our community through virtual programing. We are currently working on planning new exhibits and how visits will work once we are able to re-open, but definitely keeping our virtual-programing game strong.
THIS PAGE: Dianne Lynn Benanti “George Floyd,” Ann Wolfe “Interdependency,” Mariana Moctezuma “Love in The time of Covid” OPPOSITE PAGE: Michael Angelo “Coachella Valley Farm Workers,” Susan Gresto “Aunt Mary,” Cheryl Goettemoeller “ Solace Within” Ann Leiboh “Of Two Minds,” Polly Lunetto “Bite Sized Bits of Encouragement,” Lunafora “Political Theater, Protest and Pandemic”
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COACHELLA MAGAZINE
