In Chicana writer Lupe Castillo’s poem “Her-Story,” she honors a lineage of grandmothers, mothers, daughters and “spirit women” who carry their histories across borders like sacred talismans. 

“These are the stories that bind us,” she writes. “The stories of us young and naive as we dream of greatness before we were told we were not great. It takes time and awareness to undo what has at times been done to us. Take care of your heart and let your heart take care of you.”

For Castillo, these words are a remedy for the isolation of her youth. Growing up as one of the few families of color in a part of rural Minnesota, she spent years seeking community.

“I always longed for visibility and connection so it was always a joy to come to the West Side of St. Paul. That was like our beacon,” Castillo said. “It became very ceremonial for me to write down my thoughts and feelings. I believe that writing and sharing our poetry is bearing witness to each other and acknowledging our lives.” 

This weekend, the spirit of her poem comes to life across the Twin Cities celebrating Latina and Indigenous art, the divine feminine in Indian mythology, and the power of the written word. 

International Women’s Day exhibit

The Solar Arts Building in Minneapolis will host the eighth annual International Women’s Day Exhibition, featuring Latin music, poetry, food and visual art. 

Argentinian artist Constanza Carballo, who moved to the Twin Cities in 1989, launched the event in 2019 to center voices from Minnesota, Cuba, Denmark, Ireland and Mexico. 

“Art was my first language in the Twin Cities because I didn’t know English and I didn’t know any other way to communicate,” Carballo said. “I kept seeing artists from my community being overlooked. I didn’t want to wait for permission anymore. So, I created the space myself.” 

For Carballo, this year’s program is a necessary refuge from the current climate. 

“Many families in our community are carrying the stress due to the ongoing ICE occupation this year,” she said. “International Women’s Day isn’t just about celebration or commemoration. It’s a space for grounding, solidarity and collective care.” 

The gallery will feature work by local and international artists, including Native muralist Natchez Beaulieu, Afro-Indigenous mosaic artist Lori Greene, Chilean American painter Carolyna DeSoto, Cuban painter Grettel Arrate and Latina muralist Flor Soto. 

Cuban ensemble Rumba Eterna will also perform. Attendees can participate in arts and crafts or listen to readings by Castillo and Teresa Ortiz, who are previewing their collaborative poetry collection “Alma y Corazon: Writing in the Rhythm of Life,” set to be released in late April. 

“Grab your cafecito and your food, and have a chat with us,” Castillo said. “It’s a very special project with lots of intention and heart, and I have no doubt that you’ll be able to just feel yourself in those writings.”

Ancient epics of India

St. Paul-based author and podcaster Satish Jayaraj will bring a story of “Eternal Love” to the American School of Storytelling this Friday. While his bi-weekly podcast, Not Your Mother’s Mahabharata, offers a deep dive into Indian epics, this live performance is a more dramatic and emotional retelling. 

The story follows Shiva, the silent consciousness lost in deep meditation for thousands of years with no interest in the waking world, and Adi Shakti, the cosmic energy who took human form to marry Shiva and draw him back to humanity. 

Through their journey, Jayaraj illustrates a profound perspective: while physical bodies are temporary, our human experience of love or longing is the universe trying to become whole again. 

“I think there’s a lot of wisdom in these stories, which is part of what I love about all mythology,” Jayaraj said. “I would love for people to leave a storytelling feeling like they can just imagine more and feel themselves expanding in some way. That is something I always strive towards.”

Black women writers in conversation

Sister Spokesman, an event series of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, will celebrate Women’s History Month with “Her Story,” where Black women writers will let us in on their creative writing and publishing process. 

 The panel includes Shannon Gibney, author of the 2024 picture book “We Miss You, George Floyd;” Mary Whitney, whose books focus on themes of trauma and healing within the Black community; and Rekhet Si-Asar, the executive director of In Black Ink, a publishing arts initiative amplifying Black writers. 

Spoken word artist Se’Anna Johnson is also scheduled to perform. Her debut album “No Vacancy” drops on March 23. Check out her flow here. 

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