From the exhibition Outsiders Within: Contemporary Work from Regional Latina/o and Native American Artists Activities by Mary Erickson, Ph.D. with Arizona art teacher Laurie Eldridge, Ph.D. What is Culture?

A culture is a community in which people share activities and ideas. Most people are members of several groups or cultures.

Some communities are very large, such as all the people in a country, state or big city. Others are small, such as the people in a small village or the members of a neighborhood club. Small village in Madagascar Neighborhood in Tempe, Ariz.

Many cultures have their own special foods. Here are some examples from different cultures. SwedenSouth India

TurkeyUnited States Mexico Navajo NationEthiopia Thailand

People in different cultures often have their own languages or special words known by members of the group. Here are some examples. Vietnamese Ukrainian

Chinese Russian SpanishNepalese EnglishArabic

People from different cultures often have their own visual traditions. These pillows are made from textiles from around the world.

These pillows were made in different regions of the United States. OregonPennsylvaniaHawaii

Can you guess which pillow cover was made in which culture? India Madagascar Japan Laos

India and Laos are in Asia. Japan is in the Pacific Ocean east of Asia. Madagascar is in the Indian Ocean east of Africa. LaosIndiaMadagascarJapan

People within a culture or group are familiar with many of the same people, places, activities and ideas. Let’s think about people, places, activities and ideas in Arizona.

What famous people live here? What places do people like to visit? What do people like to do? What ideas do many people share?

People Jordin Sparks, Alice Cooper, Shaquille O’Neal Places Grand Canyon, Heard Museum, University of Phoenix Stadium Activities Hiking, Playing Golf, Swimming, Shopping Ideas It’s a Dry Heat, Wide Open Spaces, Fun in the Sun

Can you think of another person, place, activity or idea that many people in Arizona know about?

What cultures or groups do you belong to? For example, are you a member of: an ethnic group religious group sports team art club Can you think of other types of groups?

Do people in your culture or group have your own language or special words? Do people in your culture or group enjoy special foods?

Are there famous people in your culture or group? Are there special places that your culture or group likes to visit? What activities does your culture or group like to do? What ideas or values are important to your culture or group?

Like many people, artists can be members of several cultures or groups. Many artists get inspiration from their cultures and groups. Mary Shindell Joe Ray Rebecca Davis Joan Waters

The Outsiders Within exhibition at the Tempe Center for the Arts shows art made by Latina/o and Native American artists living and working today. Melanie YazzieJose BenavidezMarcus Zilliox

Tlisza Jaurique is an artist who has two homes, one in Arizona and the other in New York City. Her grandmother was born in Mexico and was part of the Nahua and Yaqui people of the northern Sonoran Desert.

Tlisza made these paintings with glitter and mirrors. She was inspired by images from ancient Mesoamerican books. She says about her work: “What you see in my work tells me who you are.”

Randy Kemp is a member of the Euchee, Muscogee and Choctaw tribes. He was born in Los Angeles and lives in Phoenix.

Randy made these prints showing ravens. He says: “Even though I am from tribes outside Arizona, I feel 'in' because I share my culture and traditions through art.”