In fall 2022, WTJU asked this core civic question: What would make Charlottesville a better place to live?
We answered it through artistic expression and people’s voices.
Made possible with support from UVA Arts Council
Currently On Display
MALA LECHE, a quarterly radical art zine, was born out of a vision of solidarity. The zine features the art and writing of women, non-binary, and genderqueer artists and thinkers. Through paid contributor opportunities, shared curatorial control, and a belief in the power of creative work, MALA LECHE creates impactful and necessary change in the community.
a new exhibit by
is a quarterly radical art zine
(formerly The Feminist Union of Charlottesville Creatives).
This zine features the art and writing
of women, non-binary, and genderqueer
artists and thinkers.
community project with the continued allyship of local organizations and supporting community members.
This exhibition showcased MALA LECHE’s development from a self-funded endeavor into a sustainable
Province Song by Kim Salac
Karaoke remains a staple in the Filipino household. From family reunions to big celebrations, the pastime becomes a means of defining and celebrating the home. Encoding themes of home and homeland into karaoke’s very visual language, I seek to flesh out Fernando’s story, a Charlottesville native, and owner of a local, burgeoning Filipino restaurant, as he ponders where exactly is home for him. By placing the viewer at the other end of the mic, Province Song invites visitors to participate in his journey and physically filter through Fernando’s scattered, and fractured memories, all while unearthing a hidden Charlottesville history, alive and well on a small street called Manila.
Previously on Display August - September 2022
/
Previously on Display August - September 2022 /
What do you think
would make Charlottesville
a better place to live?
“The University really does affect the community and that’s something that we need to pay attention to.”
“What I love about living in Charlottesville is the optimism and collaboration of our community members.”
“Charlottesville has some of the best parts of both a big city and a small-knit community.”
“If I could change one thing about Charlottesville I would make the houses less expensive.”
“I think that one of the ways we can make Charlottesville better is admit that we’ve done things wrong in the past.”
“When we ask many of our students about living in Charlottesville, they respond that they love living here because it is safe, the weather is nice, people are friendly, and there’s lots of opportunities for their children.”
“I like the rural part of it, being in the country kind of, the mountains.”
“We used to call it the velvet rut, because people move here and don’t intend on staying, and stay”
“If I could selfishly change one thing about our community it would be that there were more queer events.”
“I think it’s kind of expensive to live in like the good parts of town. I think there’s probably a lot of people who would prefer to live closer to town but can’t just because of socioeconomic status.”
“I think one of the best parts of living here is the culture and community and events that happen on the downtown mall.”
“One thing that we have really loved about Charlottesville is the diversity. That was something we were looking for and we have certainly found that.”
“The best part of living here is I love the fact that especially around the Downtown area there are no chain restaurants, they’re independently owned businesses, and the food is next level.”
“I like living somewhere that has a lot of history. I like living in places where it’s hard to hide, where you have to actively work to not know about the people around you.”
“One of the things I enjoy about Charlottesville is that it is a college town with people from different states and countries.”