Breaking Bread, an exhibition curated by Alyssarhaye Graciano, explored the creation of safe spaces through community, and the ways through which marginalized communities seek refuge from moments of danger, destruction, and isolation. The artists’ work in the show reimagined and recreated a world where women, children, immigrant, refugees and queer communities can thrive freely, both individually and as a community. This exhibition recognized how these communities’ physical and psychological experiences have affected their reality as well as their dreams.

Alma worked with the curator to create this site-specific installation. “Cerca de Ti” serves as ephemeral evidence of this fleeting moment on the dance floor at a queer party. The charcoal drawing on muslin was left unfixed to further emphasize its temporality, allowing the drawing to shift and fade with time. The drawing was mounted to a wall stud that fit into the corner of the gallery, creating a triangle on the ground where dried hibiscus was placed. The hibiscus is both a tool for medicine as well as a symbol for transness. The plant, high in vitamin C, has both “male” and “female” reproductive parts, reminding us that gender is a construct nature regularly defies. Beside the drawing sits a Trans Tabernacle box built from hardwoods. Inside the Tabernacle plays testimonies from queer and trans people at the same dance party that served as a reference for the drawing. In these testimonies, individuals reflect on what safety can look like in our LGBTQAI+ community. Participants were invited to use materials from the Trans Tabernacle to stitch a spell of protection for queer and trans people.