The University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program has launched “SARA,” a new art exhibition at the Rooting for Change Cafe in Palmer Commons. The gallery features over 10 works by local photographer Erick Díaz Veliz and student artist-curator Antonella Sara, ranging from agricultural photography to mixed-media pieces inspired by the “arte huanca” style of Peruvian painter Josué Sánchez. The opening event integrated culinary traditions with visual art, serving tamales and chicha morada to highlight the sacred role of corn in Andean heritage.
This exhibition serves as a platform for exploring cultural sovereignty and the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous Andean communities. By connecting agricultural practices like k’ampa with contemporary artistic expression, the project illustrates how traditional food systems and art function as tools of resistance against colonization and marginalization. It also marks a collaborative effort between university sustainability programs and student-led cultural organizations to foster community identity through the arts.