This year, Calling Up Justice was honored to participate in Garden’s Summer Solstice Celebration, a vibrant weekend of art, learning, culture, and community building. Ry and Claudia immersed themselves in the gathering, attending the Mesoamerican Summer Solstice Ceremony, the powerful Juneteenth and Solidarity Across Borders conversation, Gata’s beautiful presentation on the History of Indigenous Taíno & Caribbean Women Caciques (Chiefs), and the joyful Draw Battle finale. Each offering reflected Garden’s commitment to creating space for curiosity, history, creativity, and collective care.

Calling Up Justice hosted a digital resource table where attendees could explore our work, publications, events, and opportunities to connect with our community. Claudia also shared work in the Summer Solstice Art Gallery alongside other featured artists.

One of the highlights of the weekend was Claudia’s live poetry performance, featuring selections from Art Power Growth Liberation. The performance blended spoken word, visual art, music, and emerging technology. Audiences experienced Maddie’s beautiful dance film inspired by the Art Power Growth Liberation song, along with several augmented reality films that transformed the paintings into living, animated works. It was especially meaningful to have several Calling Up Justice interns in attendance, witnessing and supporting the work while experiencing how poetry, performance, visual art, dance, and technology can intersect to create immersive storytelling.

We are deeply grateful for our ongoing collaborative relationship with Garden. Their thoughtful programming consistently centers BIPOC communities while making room for rest, play, political education, artistic experimentation, and genuine human connection. Every visit reminds us that digital spaces can be places of belonging, imagination, and liberation when they are intentionally cultivated.

Thank you to J Mase, Kwaku, Al, and everyone who made this year’s Summer Solstice Celebration possible. We look forward to continuing to learn together, create together, and grow this beautiful community.