THE WELCOMING

In March, 2020, in response to the isolation of the ongoing pandemic, For You began a partnership with LBFE (Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly) to bring artists and elders together for creative exchange. The Welcoming is a series of socially engaged artworks inspired by the memories and imaginations of elders from the LBFE community. We asked our elder collaborators to invite us into their worlds—to look out the windows of their apartments and to tell the stories of the photos and knick knacks that line their bookshelves—and, in return, learn how to welcome audiences into their worlds via live performance, participatory scores, video art, and more.

The Welcoming at The Jones Institute

June 24-25; June 29 - July 3, 2023

The Jones Institute
963 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA

In this last iteration of The Welcoming hosted by The Jones Institute, small audiences gathered around a wooden table to hear stories paired with small bites and drinks inspired by a group of San Francisco elders. Food offerings included amuse-bouche offerings along with wine, beer, and a signature beverage. This iteration of The Welcoming was co-presented by Headlands Center for the Arts and The Jones Institute, an alternative art space to experience new works, ephemera, and more. Headlands Center for the Arts’ Bay Area Fellowship: Svane Family Foundation Inaugural Artists, was made possible with the generous support of the Svane Family Foundation. 

The Welcoming at Headlands Center for the Arts

March 19, 2023

Headlands Center for the Arts
944 Simmonds Rd, Sausalito, CA

The Welcoming at Headlands Center for the Arts presented an interactive performance paired with food inspired by the memories and imaginations of elders from the LBFE community, designed in collaboration with artists Sarah Wells, Bijun Liang, Lauren Spencer, Peekaboo, Gabriele Christian, Deirdre Visser, and Werd Pace. Following the performance, guests and artists gathered for a family-style meal in the Mess Hall. 

The Welcoming at KQED Live

December 12, 2021

KQED Headquarters
2601 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

For KQED Live, The Welcoming included a drag act performed by El Beh and Morningstar; a sermon delivered by Clarice, a Dominican Sister, accompanied by Crow’s woodworking; and a red carpet rollout for Harriet who stars in an animated short.

Support for The Welcoming comes from Berkeley Rep’s Groundfloor, California Arts Council, Rainin Foundation, New England Foundation for the Art’s (NEFA) National Theater Project Grant, and Headlands Center for the Arts. Erika’s participation is supported by the Headlands Center for the Arts’ Bay Area Fellowship, which is made possible with the generous support of the Svane Family Foundation.