Co-Directors Maricela Mora (left) and Mia Johnson-Matinez (right)
Gallery Route One is pleased to announce that we have hired two Co-Directors for our Latino Photography Project. Founded and stewarded by Nancy Bertelsen for the past 20 years, a new era is emerging for the LPP, and Nancy is passing the baton. We cannot thank Nancy enough for her vision and enduring support for this important program.
Please meet Maricela Mora! Maricela grew up and spent most of her life Jalostotitlan, Jalisco Mexico. She comes from a family of five brothers and six sisters, of which she is the youngest. She would come for vacations and visits with her sister Juanita in inverness. She began her journey as an LPP participant when she was only 19. About the experience she had of being a part of the program, she says, “LPP played a part in my being able to adapt to the country and to learn a new and unique culture while meeting new people. When I began taking the classes I realized that I had entered a door filled with opportunities that I could have never imagined seeing, through the art of photography. Becoming a Co-Director of LPP is a new chapter in my life, and I want to share what I have learned with the community, and that what we have around us is truly magnificent, including our town and the diversity of the people in it.”
Let’s meet Mia Johnson-Martinez! Locally born and raised, Mia is known by many through her job at KWMR. While working and living in Point Reyes Station, she’s become deeply connected with the West Marin nonprofit world, and in the past several years has also developed a passion for local Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work. She’s also taken plenty of photos of backlit buildings and reflections in puddles, all around town – the moodier the better, and her passion for photography continues to grow. She is honored to have this new role as Co-Director along with longtime photographer Maricela Mora – following in the footsteps of those who worked so diligently to get the project off the ground and cultivate it so gracefully. She’s excited to get to know all the photographers – and to be a part of fostering deeper connections within the West Marin community.