Guess who's coming to dinner (or the last supper). Alma Leiva. February 2019. Elsewhere Museum, greensboro, NC. Video documentation of curated dinner in collaboration with Jennida Chase and Hassan Pitts. 9 min 2 secs. Inkjet prints, embroidery, and poetry on museum collection fabric; ongoing collection of stories. 264” x 138” in. Live music performance in collaboration with Joshua Marquez.
Embroidery process
Embroidery process
QR code detail.
Embroidery process
Interactive Greensboro, NC. Map image.2019.
Guess who’s coming to dinner (or the last supper) is a research-based interdisciplinary project that includes interactive, performance, and sensory elements. Inspired by Leiva’s grandmother who worked in a Florida tomato field in the 1980’s, this project is a response to the rising deportations of food industry workers in North Carolina. The project activates Elsewhere’s dining space through a tablecloth, web platform, poetry, a dinner event, and experimental sound performance. Guess Who encourages awareness about migration and labor through personal stories, pertinent statistics, and poetry that humanize this vulnerable demographic.
Through public engagement, Leiva facilitates a platform to bring this difficult conversation to the “table:” A concept she recalls in the title after Stanley Kramer’s 1967 film. Also recalling the table in Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper painting, the project includes a hand-made tablecloth that pairs traditional “women crafts,” or the embroidery using inherited thread, with QR code technology. In the center, a printed, embroidered Greensboro map that resembles a living organism offers interactivity that takes participants to relevant information. On both ends, the tablecloth presents a split North Carolina state map with a poem by Leiva (translated by Walter Krochmal), dedicated to the workers in Spanish and English. In collaboration with local immigrant organization FaithAction, Leiva expands the conversation beyond the event’s inauguration by incorporating an expanding web platform that continuously features regional migrant workers’ personal stories.
In order to encourage engagement and critical thought, the artist served dishes during her opening exhibition using locally grown produce in collaboration with local artist Jennida Chase and videographer Hassan Pitts. The resulting food stains on the tablecloth become a growing archive of use. To add another layer, a responsive live experimental sound performance by composer Joshua Marquez played throughout the project’s inauguration. As a take-away memento, the artist handed custom printed napkins to the public.
Alma Leiva was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and moved to the United States when she was fourteen. She lives and works in
Miami, FL.
Education
2011 -MFA, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2007 -BFA, New World School of the Arts, Miami, FL
Solo Exhibitions
2015
"The Persistence of the Immigrant Experience", Southern Illinois University, Department of Cinema and Photography Gallery,
Carbondale, IL
“Object of My Affection: San Pedro Nos Ve (San Pedro Watches Over Us), Swing Space, The Museum of Art and Design, Miami, FL
2014
”Alma Leiva: Celdas” (Prison Cells), Artspace Gallery, Raleigh, NC
2012
”Celdas” (Prison Cells), Space Camp Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
2011
"En La Celda (Inside The Cell)", 6th Street Container, Miami, FL
"Producto Centroamericano: Made in Honduras", Anderson Gallery Museum, Richmond, VA (Thesis Show)
Two Person Exhibitions
2015
“Counter-Archives to the Narco-City ”, The Snite Museum of Art, IN
"Counter-Archives to the Narco-City”, The Notre Dame Center for Arts and Culture, IN
Online Exhibitions
2020
CONTINUO LATIDOAMERICANO de PERFORMANCE, November 13-December 4th, 2020
“Reactivando Videografías”, Real Academia de España, Rome (October 2020-2022)
"Digital Art Exhibitions at the E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center", Van Every/Smith Galleries, Davidson College, Davidson NC
2012
“Celdas” (Prison Cells/solo exhibit)” Caladan online Gallery
“Isolation”, Caladan Gallery, Online Exhibition
2010
Dave Bown Projects, "1st Semiannual" (Curated by Eva Frosch, co- owner of Frosch and Portmann, NY)
"Wide Awake Dreaming" The Vermont Photography Workplace, Online- Gallery Annex
Group Exhibitions/ Screenings
2022
Frank Contemporaries, Green Space, video screening, FL (January)
“Reactivando Videografías”, Real Academia de España, Rome, Italy (December)
2021
"Inside Feelings, Outside Voices: Reflections from Miami", Green Space Gallery, Miami, FL (November 11th-January 8th, 2022)
Alma Leiva, The Frank Gallery, Third Space, FL (October 21st-January 23rd)
“DE AQUI Y DE ALLA (of here and there), VAE Raleigh, NC
Mesotrópicos, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Panamá
2020
"Digital Art Exhibitions at the E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center", Van Every/Smith Galleries, Davidson College, Davidson NC
2019
"Golpe 10", curated by Adan Vallecillo, Dreivertel, Bern, Switzerland (June 13)
"Housed", The Center for Photography at Woodstock, NY ( April 27 )
"Wynn Newhouse Awards Exhibition", Palitz Gallery, New York, NY
"Video Wall", Van Every Smith Galleries, Davidson College, Davidson, NC
"Adjusting the Lens", Florida State University, MoFA, Tallahassee, FL (Screening)
"Southern Constellations fellows exhibition", Elsewhere Museum, Greensboro, NC
2018
Oh My Ears!, "Are you Alarmed?", Interdisciplinary Arts festival, Phoenix, AZ (Organized by Grit Collaborative)
"Race, Love and Labor", The Diggs Gallery at Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC (August 30th-November 30th)
"E. Craig Wall Jr. Academic Center Video Exhibition ", Van Every Smith Galleries, Davidson College, Davidson, NC
2017
"Race, Love and Labor", Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery, Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, NY
"Apuesta Plana", LL Proyectos, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
"South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship Exhibition", Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami, FL
"The Fence Houston" 2016 (HCP), TX
2016
"Race, Love and Labor”, Photographic Resource Center at Boston University, MA
“Alumni Series–Photography” (Invitational exhibition), New World School of the Arts Gallery, Miami, FL
“Race, Love and Labor”, The Center for Photography at Woodstock, NY
“Todas Las Vidas (All Lives)”, X Biennial of the Central American Isthmus, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, San José,
Costa Rica
" The Fence 2016 ", During Flash Forward Festival, Rose F. Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA
" The Fence 2016 " At Photoville, Brooklyn Bridge Park, NY
" The Fence 2016", Atlanta BeltLine, GA
" The Fence 2016", Santa Fe, NM
"Race, Love and Labor", University Art Museum, University at Albany, NY
2015
“Untitled Radio”, Untitled Art Basel Fair, Miami Beach, FL (MacDowell Colony)
"Race, Love and Labor: New Work From The Center for Photography at Woodstock's Artist-In-Residence Program", Cuarated by
Sarah Lewis,The Tremaine Gallery at The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT
" Made in Woodstock VII ", The Center for Photography at Woodstock, NY
2014
"Third Space: Inventing The Possible", Museum of Contemporary Art, Curated by William Cordova and Gean Moreno, North Miami, FL
"POSITIONS BERLIN", Video Lounge, Berlin Art Week, Berlin, Germany
"Race, Love and Labor: New Work From The Center for Photography at Woodstock's Artist-In-Residence Program", Cuarated by
Sarah Lewis, Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, New Palz, NY
"Life is (not) a still life (after Oskar Kokoschka)", Balzer Art Projects, Basel, Switzerland
“Inside Out”, Atlantic Center For The Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
2013
"Bronx World Film Cycle", Centro Español- La Nacional, New York, NY
"Illusive Self", Taller Boricua, New York, NY
"Re-Formed", Curated by NYFA, Wesbeth Gallery, New York, NY (Invitational)
"31st Annual Membership Exhibition", Houston Center For Photography, TX
"The Fence", Brooklyn Park at Photoville, Produced by United Photo Industries, Photo District News and Brooklyn Bridge Park ,
Brooklyn, NY
"Miami's Independent Thinkers Summer Art Auction", Cannonball, Miami, FL
"The Fence", Boston at Photoville 2013. Produced by United Photo Industries, Photo District News, Brooklyn Bridge Park and Flash
Forward Festival, Boston, MA
"Sixth All-Media Juried Biennial", Art and Culture Center of Hollywood, FL
"Home", Ground Arts, New York, NY
2012
“BYOB-RV”, During Inlight Richmond, supported by 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA
“Bronx World Film Cycle”, Centro Español La Nacional, Manhattan, NY
"31 Women in Art Photography”, Humble Arts Foundation, Hasted Kraeutler, NY
"Inside Out”, Atlantic center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, FL
”PPAC's 3rd Annual Photography Exhibition”, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center, Philadelphia, PA (Curated by Natasha Egan
and Kathy Ryan)
“DCG Open”, David Castillo Gallery, Miami, FL (Invitational exhibit)
”Screenings 2012”, New World School of the Arts, Artseen, Miami, FL
2011
“Bronx World Film Cycle”, Centro Español La Nacional, Manhattan, NY
“Arteles Exhibition”, Arteles, Haukijärvi, Finland
“Circumpolar: Go Shapers”, Circumpolar Art Gallery, Buffalo, N.Y.
“80 Inches of Art”, NWSA Art Auction, Sagamore Hotel, Miami, FL
"Lumen" Video and film Festival, Staten Island, NY
"Irrational Exhuberance" The Invisible Dog Art Center, Brooklyn, NY
"Art Everywhere 2011", Video screening, Norfolk, VA
"Where The Heart Is", Brooklyn Artist Gym Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2010
"Art Basel Juried show" Daniel Azoulay Gallery, Art Basel, Miami, FL
"Miami Independent Thinkers" Casa Wynwood, Art Basel, Miami, FL
"Memory Upgrade", Center On Contemporary Art, Seattle WA
"Bow Wow and The Big Meow" Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
" Photography Exhibit " The Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, Frederick, MD
"First Contexts: Where Art Comes From" Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, Cincinnati, OH
"Tallahassee International 25th Juried Competition", Florida State University, Museum of Fine Arts, Tallahassee, FL
"Art/Everywhere", Video Screening, Norfolk, VA
"Process Impact", Eagle Art Gallery, Murray State University, Murray, KY
"Photography And Film Exhibit" Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
"Security", Root Division, San Francisco, CA
"Altered" (Curated by Tomiko Jones), University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
2009
"Photo/Image Project" (Curated by Taryn Simon), Arlington Art Center, Arlington, VA
"Five Past One" Candidacy Show, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2008
"Hurt Feelings and Reputations" Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
2007
"Fortune and Freedom", Group exhibition, SOHO building, Miami, FL
"Altered Surfaces" New World School Of The Arts Gallery, Miami, FL
"Fear. Fate. Fame." New World School Of The Arts BFA Show, curated by Fred Snitzer, The Freedom Tower, Miami, FL
2006
"Student Exhibition" Photo Miami, Art Basel, Miami, FL
"New World School of The Arts Student Exhibit", Art Basel Miami, FL
"Rising Stars", New World School of The Arts, Miami, FL
2005
"To Trip The Life Fantastic"(Collaboration Project) Art Basel, Miami, FL
"New World School Of The Arts Student Exhibition", Art Basel, Miami, FL
2004
"Rising Stars", New World School Of The Arts, Miami, FL