Parting Words from Patricia Zamora to the CAST Community
Patricia Zamora speaking at Dreaming Spaces 447 Minna Community Design Day, August 2022
After almost five years on our Community Engagement team, Patricia (PAZ) Zamora will be leaving the organization effective October 31. During her time with CAST, PAZ has been a driving force in connecting artists, neighbors, and community partners, helping to build stronger, more inclusive spaces for creativity to thrive. In her own words, she shares reflections on her journey, what she’s learned, and the gratitude she carries for the CAST community.
Read on for a personal message from PAZ reflecting on her time at CAST…
Dear Beloved Bay Community,
Almost five years ago, I joined CAST, and I want to express my gratitude to founding staff members Tyese Wortham and Moy Eng for their trust, mentorship, and guidance. I also thank our CEO Ken Ikeda, for the past two years, and the CAST Staff Team —Carolyn, Matthew, Josh, Catherine, Yi, Jared, Taylor, Luis, David, Ryan, Ellen, Mauricio, Maya, and Louise—for stewarding CAST into its next ten-plus years in California and Colorado. In every CAST project and partnership, the essential ingredients are a unique blend of love, wisdom, lived experience, resources, funding, and the wherewithal to make the project work. This is no easy feat, and I deeply respect the fortitude it takes to return to the table, share authentically, and seek connection.
Over the years, it has been an honor, a humbling experience, and a constant source of inspiration to witness the deep devotion, perseverance, and love of each artist—both for their creative practice and for how it is shared and experienced in the communities they serve and the cities in which they survive and thrive. As Community Engagement Manager at CAST, I have been part of conversations ranging from healing, housing, safety, affordability, equity, justice, harm, and transformation. There are too many to name, but all of them have informed the “heART of the matter.”
My biggest joy has been involvement in extensive community engagement and collaboration, which has allowed me to help develop vibrant art and cultural spaces, starting with the hyperlocal community. This included leading Dreaming Spaces at 447 Minna, gathering resident input from two key neighbors Mint Mall and DISH SF, co-leading a Dreaming Spaces session for the 457 Minna project with Galing Bata leadership, and co-creating Dreaming Spaces workshops for the Pier 70 concept development project with the Noonan Building Artists and a regional group of art, cultural and community leaders in the Bay.
Perhaps some of you reading this have been part of one of these conversations with me or a CAST team member. I thank each of you for sharing your needs and for learning together as part of the Bay Area arts & culture ecosystem. Together, we have engaged in real estate projects for the good of the community and worked to mitigate the displacement of our artists and cultural workers within those communities most at risk.
Patricia Zamora speaking to community at 7GEN Art House’s second annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration, 2023.
It is with deep gratitude and love for my colleagues at CAST that I am stepping away from my role as Community Engagement Manager. I will, however, continue to explore and develop CAST-inspired projects in the Central Valley and in Livingston, CA, my hometown of seven generations. I am the Founder of 7GEN ArtHouse and was selected to be part of the Community Vision’s CalCORE 2025 Statewide Cohort for BIPOC led social purpose community development.
I am also returning to my roots as a Circle Keeper/Facilitator in restorative and transformative justice practices in community-centered spaces, supporting individual self-agency and collective liberation for all ages. I will continue work and bridge the Bay and Valley through intentional partnership and projects that cross-pollinate and embrace the interconnectedness of rural and urban life in our state toward healing, love, justice, and liberation.
Finally, beneath every job, initiative, project, endeavor, role, things related to “career” is my heART. Those things that matter beyond the titles, pay, and practice. Tlazocamati and Tiahui. May we care for our Mother Earth and flourish together in love, justice, and peace.
To stay in touch with PAZ, please visit her at 7GEN ArtHouse or email her here.
