Arts in Unexpected Places

Don’t discount the Inland Empire: The Arts in Unexpected Places

Margaret Elysia Garcia (Upton)

Since 2022 and the publication of my first book, I’ve been to more than my share of literary festivals, art walks, and public events welcoming booths for small presses. I’ve done it enough now that I will always say yes to some (shout out to LA Zine Fest, The Bay Area Lit Festival, Laguna Beach Lit Festival, and East LA Book Festival and the Goddess Mercardo for outstanding, high attendance, author and book supportive events). I’ll also say  there are a few that I will never participate in again because of their antagonistic and exploitative nature (I’m not going to out a certain cultural festival in LA—you can message me for that info). So, believe me when I tell you that I am constantly impressed by both Riverside and Pomona.

Riverside takes so much heat for being “backward” and voting poorly, but when you look closely there’s a good deal to be said for the city. I’m not talking about the University of California, Riverside’s excellent, renown low-res MFA—though that is certainly an artistic draw to the city and excitement. I’m talking about downtown Riverside. In my mind, three organizations have produced the trifecta of an arts scene. The Riverside Art Museum/The Cheech and the magnificent showcasing of Latino/a art, the monthly Artwalk, Inlandia Institute and its collaboration with the Riverside Public Library. Each time I go to an event hosted by one of these institutions or some of them in collaboration I’m struck by great turn out and personally more than decent booksales.

Gente are craving art and not just the stereotypical stuff. They are coming out to events as families and buying books for the children and themselves. That will pay off in later years when those kids become adults who’ve grown up with the creative arts front and center in their lives. Mark my words: though 54% of Americans across the board sport an under sixth grade reading level, one of the groups improving and climbing out of that statistic is us. With more and more Chicana/o and Latina/o indie authors focused on our history, culture and bilingual efforts in English and Spanish for the youngest readers up to adult readers the more collectively we are soaring ahead. Exposure to the arts is a driving feature.

I spoke recently with Inlandia Institute staff—there was a bunch of change over in the last year as retirements took place and millennials took the helm. That’s so exciting to me. One of the things mentioned to me was trying to expand the idea of Inlandia to incorporate events and arts outside of just the city of Riverside and reaching more into the smaller areas in the county without that ease of access to the arts. It brings me hope for the future. With the exception of the Bay Area which just is a reading culture, Riverside has me excited as one of the two southern California arts towns.

Up the road a half hour is the other great up and coming city of the arts: Pomona. Pomona has this vibe of “okay we’re still part of Los Angeles County, but are we really?” And it feels like it’s own entity. Recently I attended an artwalk but I’ve been coming here a good deal for literary events the last three years and I’ve seen the excitement and commitment grow. There’s Urban Lopez Farms hosting literary events and its become the new home of Obsidian Tongues—the once a month open mic hosted by former Pomona poet laureate Cesar K Avelar. There’s the amazing Cafe Con Libros hosting a bookstore, lending library, hang out space, and coffee all under one rough. There selection provides a great cross section of important indie books, BIPOC books and children’s. Also the community vibe is very strong.

Last time I was there, I was part of a poetry reading at Gallery Yasmin, a newer gallery with a law office in back and a dedication to showcasing Latino/a and Chicana/o art. I was part of a poetry reading there that mixed English and Spanish writing poets. The owner is excited to host such events. The room was packed to listen to poetry. Outside, people were gathering for both artwalk and pride events. It was so teaming with people that I had trouble finding parking at first. I love that. I walked around practically dancing; I could hear Mexican music everywhere. I loved seeing all the families out, people on dates, elders all walking around downtown checking out art and literature and vibing to great music. Now that’s how you vitalize a downtown.