The City of Sacramento’s Office of Arts and Culture is presenting a new art exhibit at City Hall that highlights the voices and perspectives of essential workers in the state.
Curated by the City’s Emerging Curators Fellow NJ Mvondo, “We Are California” honors essential workers, cultural organizers, and unsung heroes whose labor and lived experiences are often overlooked in mainstream narratives—yet whose contributions are foundational to California’s status as the fourth largest economy in the world. It will be hosted at the City Hall Robert T. Matsui Gallery (915 I Street) from Sept. 24 through Dec. 17.
“California is such a unique state, for so many peculiar yet wholesome reasons, and i wanted to not just remind us of some of the ways we have been building connections and community, but also invite us to reflect on the topic of breaking stigmas when using terms such as ‘essential workers’ and when thinking of the celebration of our achievements as a state,” says curator NJ Mvondo.
“We are California” serves as both a celebration and a call to action, recognizing the people whose work built and sustains the state and illustrating how Californians unite in times of crisis, resistance and transformation.
The exhibit features works by artists such as Luisa Morco, Pata Salada, Maurice Moore, Leroy F. Moore Jr., and the creators of the “Somos Santuario” poster project. Through these pieces, the exhibition sheds light on the experiences of incarcerated firefighters, disabled artists, survivors of domestic violence, military families, and immigrant communities.
The exhibit is free, open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is wheelchair accessible. A public reception will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 at City Hall.
About the Emerging Curators Fellowship
Administered by the Office of Arts and Culture, the Emerging Curators Fellowship is a year-long program designed for the selected curator to curate and present two exhibitions with the guidance of a curatorial mentor.
This year’s fellow, NJ Mvondo, is an artist, social entrepreneur, and advocate for social justice, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability. An immigrant from France and Cameroon, she centers her work on uplifting marginalized voices and fostering community resilience and healing.
NJ leads initiatives such as the Interactive Healing Arts Project and is the founder of Multiculturalism Rocks LLC and the Davis Network for Africa. She also serves on the board of Yolo Arts.
