Reconciliation Vessels, an Adaptation of the Apologetic Garden, is a project initiated and organized by artists Kelsey Zwarka and Kiyomi Fukui. Lining Flux Art Space gallery, an artist-run space owned by Betsy Lohrer Hall, are unique vessels created by artists affiliated with Long Beach. The reconciliation vessels serve as transformative containers, housing private letters of apology as a space for forgiveness and growth. The personalized letters written by participants from the community are planted along with vegetables seeds into the planters. Over the course of the exhibition, the letters transform, granting a metaphor for reconciliation. In honor of the month of May, mental health awareness month, the community collaboration offers a cathartic experience for individuals to reflect on their unsaid regrets, offering a moment of contemplation and healing. The exhibition follows the progress of the sprouting of the apologies and their future tidings and growth.
Apologetic Garden started with my share of regret — for me, it was the letters I meant to send to my late mother. Physically, my letters will never make it to her hands. Starting with these letters, I have countless unsaid apologies that haunt the back of my mind. Perhaps everyone does — a guilt we cannot quite communicate with anyone. I hope this project could become an attempt for us to reconcile our inner guilt, and create something meaningful out of it.
— Kiyomi Fukui Nannery
Featured Artists
Alex Kawano, Brittany Mojo, Christine Hudson, Chris Miller, Daniel Garcia, Evan Lopez, Garrett Dran, Gavyn Myers, Heather Browning, Jane Margarette, Jon Weisenburg, Kelsey Zwarka, Kim Torres, Kiyomi Fukui, and Necole Borgo
Gavyn Myers
Vessel
12.5”x12.5”x12.5”
$200
Brittany Mojo
flower planter
17.5”x12.5”x12”
$385
Evan Lopez
Cake
12.25”x14.5”x11.5”
$575
Jon Weisenburg
Reconciliation Vessel
10”x9.5”x9.5”
$250
Chris Miller
Planter
12”x8.5”x7”
$200
Kelsey Zwarka
Untitled
$300
Kelsey Zwarka
Blossom
9”x15”x14”
$300
Garrett Dran
Untitled
6.5”x11”x11”
Heather Browning
Nostalgia
9.75”x15.5”x15”
$250
Jane Margarette
Mad Keepings of a Tender Tongue
16.5”x14”x14”
$2500
Necole Borgo
A Kiss in the Rain
19.5”x 17”x17”
$1,200 (50% of proceeds will go to POT LA- A Pottery studio owned, operated by, and intended for People of Color)
Daniel Garcia
Shino Rock
17”x21.5”x22”
$2000
Christine Hudson
Soil, Soil
9.5”x25”x17.75”
NOT FOR SALE
Alex Kawano
Moment of Truth 5
19”x18.5”x20”
$800
Kim Torres
Bear No Malice
18.5”x14.5”x11.5”
Kelsey Zwarka & Kiyomi Fukui
Reconciliation Vessel Planting Kit
$25
This program is a part of the “Bridging Wellness” series of community pop-ups generously supported by WE RISE LA in partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. “Bridging Wellness” is a collaborative effort by Angels Gate Cultural Center, Arts Council for Long Beach, Compound LB and 10 other organizations and artists in the Harbor Region. WE RISE encourages wellbeing and healing through art, connection, community engagement and creative expression throughout May, Mental Health Awareness Month. WE RISE includes Art Rise, a series of 21 art experiences; Community Pop-Ups, hyperlocal activities across Los Angeles County neighborhoods; and a robust Digital Experience, offering original programs that can be enjoyed from anywhere. All installations and activities are meant to be participated in online or viewed from a distance individually or in small groups, in order to remain COVID-safe while fostering community connection and collective healing.
