Remembering the Struggle

Understanding the Watsonville Cannery Strike through Art

To understand the Watsonville cannery strike and its impact on the community one must spend some time learning the various stories of the cannery workers and the hardships they faced between in the 1980's. In order to help facilitate an understanding of the struggles of the strikers a series of events, free to the community and focused on art, are being planned for Summer 2008.

All events are being planned around an exhibition of artwork that will express the experiences felt by the strikers and their community. The struggles of one thousand Watsonville cannery strikers will be remembered and honored through this unique art and historical exhibit. Currently contemporary pieces of art are being collected to commemorate the impact of the strikers on the Pajaro Valley community. Many local artists as well as well known political artists will participate.

This recent body of artwork will also be joined by posters and art created during the eighties in response to the strike's events. These pieces have never before been seen together in a gallery. Please check our Exhibit page for more details.

Several other community events are being planned to help the community understand the impact of the strike. A community commemoration or celebration event is being planned to honor the strikers and their influence on the Pajaro Valley. Additionally youth workshops and a film screening are also being planned.