David Arias
Journalist, writer & content creator
Articles
Artist fuses Mexican, Indigenous cultures in paintings at Vino Godfather
You won’t just find shades of red and white at Vino Godfather. Inside the historical mansion of the Mare Island winery is an exhibit of vibrant paintings and fused glass accessories crafted by local artist Veronica Lindsey. Creator of Jassver Art, her artwork blends Mexican and Indigenous elements reminiscent of her homeland, while others are inspired by the essence of the Bay Area.
For the homeless, the American dream is just a dream
Before noon Saturday, over a thousand people had gathered on the northside of City Hall. The rally was hosted by the Center for Popular Democracy, and most participants were members of CPD’s partner organizations. They were demanding a solution to the housing crisis. Myra Keene wore reading glasses and a blue t-shirt that read her organization’s name: “Communities United.”
Photo credit David Arias. The People's Convention, Philadelphia. July 2023.
UC Davis women geoscientists of ’77 donate funds to support next generation
Forty-seven years after graduating from UC Davis, six geology alumnae fondly recalled the sense of inclusion and confidence faculty and teaching assistants instilled in them. They wanted to enable that same motivation in others. The cohort donated $1,200 to be awarded to two women studying in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS).
Photo courtesy of Qianyi Lu and Yvonne Leon, UC Davis. March 2024.
Photo credit David Arias. San Juan Atitán, Guatemala. January 2023.
The double bind for Indigenous Maya groups
in Guatemala
In May, the Biden administration enacted a new asylum ban. Migrants will be denied asylum automatically if they have not applied for protection in the countries that they passed through prior to arriving at the Mexico-U.S. border. Huehuetenango’s Indigenous Maya residents tell of the implications on their lives if they stay in Guatemala or migrate to the U.S.
Photo credit David Arias. Philadelphia Museum of Art. June 2023.
First adult queer prom celebrates Black and brown Philadelphians at the Museum of Art
They arrived at 8PM. Voices and laughter echoed outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Queer Prom had finally arrived. Friends, couples, singles, in an array of outfits from black and brown tuxedos, and silver and emerald-green dresses hurried inside the museum’s Lenfest Hall where Top 40s music rumbled.
Arts Benicia challenges gender norms
Artists defy societal conventions at an exhibition hosted by Arts Benicia, titled “I. We. They. Celebrations of Gender.” The showcase aims to underscore the transformative influence of art in promoting acceptance, as artists selected for the event delve into the resilience and intricacy of LGBTQ+ experiences, presenting a diverse spectrum of gender identities through mediums such as photography, sculpture, and painting.
Artwork by Joseph Abbati. Photo taken from Arts Benicia.
Photo courtesy of Susann Pinter, UC Davis. April 2024.
Crochet exhibit "Project Ecosystem" enchants visitors on Picnic Day
With over 200 activities planned, repeat visitors and newcomers from Davis, Sacramento, and beyond strolled throughout campus. Making their way to the Earth and Physical Sciences building, attendees grabbed their favorite dinosaur hat before meandering to this year’s Earth and Planetary Science displays. The novelty: An ecosystem crochet exhibit.
Photo credit David Arias. Broad Street, Providence. May 2023.
Founder of 35-year-old Latino gallery showcases artwork from Rhode Island natives and migrants
While the city of Providence possesses an impressive art scene, Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA) has been the state's only nonprofit organization to promote the advancement of Latino artists for 35 years. Marta V. Martinez established RILA in Providence County in 1988 to increase exposure for Latino culture outside the four weeks of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Photo credit David Arias. Pachamama Coffee, Sacramento. October 2023.
On Sunday, over a hundred people gathered around Pachamama Coffee’s East Sacramento café, for its third annual vibrant celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. Visitors lined up around the 100%-farmer owned coffee shop, with some opting for sipping in the warmer indoors.
3rd annual Día De Los Muertos celebration serves up the perfect mix of fun and coffee
Turning scrap paper into art, local artist reclaims what others would overlook
Imagine a pile of miscellaneous business cards turned into a stunning, colorful collage of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s! Or scrap pieces of paper meticulously hand-cut to create ripples in shimmering blue river water on a collage of Yosemite’s El Capitan! These are real life pieces created by Stephanie Almendariz, owner of The Reclaimist.
Photo credit David Arias. Stephanie Almendariz, Sacramento. October 2023.
Latina Estrella Awards ceremony spotlights four remarkable women in Sacramento
“There is an immense intellectual talent in our Latino community needing only nurturing.” Emily Elizabeth Vasquez, a retired judge for the Superior Court of Sacramento, mellifluously shared these words with over a hundred audience members inside the hall of Old Town’s Project Sacramento.
The first Summa and Awwiller postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Xiaochuan Tian, spearheads geohazards mitigation
The inaugural Summa and Awwiller Postdoctoral Fellow of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Davis, Dr. Xiaochuan Tian, will break ground in research of our home planet’s topography evolution and geohazard mitigation starting this October.
Photo courtesy of Xiaochuan Tian, Ph.D. Headshot. September 2024.