WHITE CENTER, Wash. — Disclaimer: This episode is an encore presentation of KING 5's Evening.
Jake Prendez is a strong advocate for youth empowerment and the power of positive reinforcement. He grew up being told he didn't matter -- but thanks to positive role models, he began to turn things around and became heavily involved in the Chicano Movement.
He decided to focus his energy and time on his gifts and talents by throwing himself into painting and the art scene. His artwork mainly focuses on themes relating to Chicana/o culture, activism, social justice, as well as pop culture and satire. His artistic style ranges from indigenous influence, social realism, portraiture, tattoo/rockabilly, to colorful urban style art.
“I like you take all your life experiences, it talks about my culture, people see the art and they feel that they are part of it,” said Jake.
Jake team up with Juday Avitia-Gonzalez to create the Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, a multi-use accessible arts gallery located in the White Center neighborhood. They host monthly art exhibitions focused on marginalized communities and communities of color. This gallery also serves as a community space for events such as arts-related lectures and workshops, open mics, and more.
“White Center is constantly overlooked, it was important to me to have a space like this here, we are building communities, and this makes me happy,” said Judy.
Nepantla is a Nahuatl (Aztec language) term that describes being in the middle or the space in the middle. The term was popularized by Chicana writer/scholar Gloria Anzaldua. Most often the term references endangered communities, cultures or gender who due to colonialism/marginalization or historical trauma, that engage in resistance strategies of survival.
The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery provides a welcoming space for the community to celebrate culture as well as a place for local artists and artisans to exhibit their work.
Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery | 9414 Delridge Way SW Seattle WA 98106
Disclaimer: This episode is an encore presentation of KING 5's Evening.
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