ARTIST STATEMENT
On September 17th, 2022, Ancestors in Training debuted the Seven Generations Ancestor Altar, an interactive art installation in reverence of the seven generations at the 5th Annual Brooklyn Brujeria Festival. Seven generations teachings and medicine primarily derive from the original Indigenous stewards of Turtle Island (United States of America), and this sentiment of being in service to those who came before us and those who will arrive after us can be found across many ancestral practices around the world. This installation celebrates not only the seven generations of the past but celebrates ourselves and all that we have thrived through.
Through the dynamic leadership of Chiquita Brujita, those seeking to return to ancestral traditions and magic have an annual opportunity to gather at the festival among kindred spirits. This installation also featured a commissioned piece, entitled ‘The Healer,’ painted by artist Micaela Anaya (December 2018). Festival attendees were invited to consider how their ancestors might have found joy amid the horrors of their time, and what they themselves aspire to be known for when they become an ancestor. To be an Ancestor in Training is to embody the elevated ancestor we want to be in the present moment, while we are still here. Veronica Agard (Ifáṣadùn Fásanmí) stewards this installation in honor of her Egungun, Egbe, and the generations that are on their way.
ABOUT ANCESTORS IN TRAINING
Ancestors in Training is an educational project and lived experience that centers sacred traditions, new technologies, intergenerational healing, and grief work. Launched in 2017, this concept has been taught at Sadie Nash Leadership Project and Mayday Space, and traveled to El Museo del Barrio, Weeksville Heritage Center, the Caribbean Cultural Center (CCCADI), Ethel's Club, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Allied Media Conference.
We understand that our time here is finite without fear.
ABOUT THE STEWARD
Veronica Agard (Ifáṣadùn Fásanmí) (she/her) is a poet, writer, community educator, and connector at the intersections of Black identity, wellness, representation, and culture. She curated the Who Heals the Healer series and the conference of the same name and facilitates the Ancestors in Training educational project. Her initiatives are housed in her freelance platform, Vera Icon, LLC. Described as living in the future - Veronica is guided by the past and carries out her dreams in the present.
Photos by Victor Castro @hivictorcastro
