José Torres-Tama: Fighting Amnesia in America

Jose Torres-Tama has been nominated for a prestigious 2022 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts in Theatre, and is director of ArteFuturo Productions, the only Latin performance art producer in New Orleans. 

He is a performance and visual artist, published poet and playwright, arts educator and photographer, and the subject of the award-winning documentary titled "This Taco Truck Kills Fascists" that chronicles his radical "Taco Truck Theater" ensemble and dinner theater on wheels. His acclaimed solo performances have sold-out in theaters in Houston, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.

J Knoblach: Taking Up Space

J Knoblach lives and works in New Orleans but was born in Slidell near Honey Island Swamp. The combination of running cross country and track and studying feminist body art led to an interdisciplinary practice rooted in performance. Byproducts of a physical action may become sculpture, photography, video, or text. In some instances, the audience is invited to interact directly with the work, such as the installation Dial Zero. Solo exhibitions include Magenta Alert at Staple Goods (2017) and Welcome to the #socialartwork at Good Children Gallery (2014). Knoblach has also had artwork exhibited at Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, The Ogden Museum, The Louisiana State Museum, UNO St. Claude Gallery, and Antenna Gallery, among others. Knoblach is a new member of Staple Goods.