Elise Alarid
She/Her

Displaced

My parents first home was located across the street from the St. Cajetan’s Church in the Auraria neighborhood. During the 1970s, the demolition of the Auraria neighborhood to make way for the Auraria Higher Education Center. St Cajetan’s Church was one of the only buildings left standing. My parents’ home was part of the rubble. The first people to inhabit the land that Auraria Campus sits on were the Cherokee, Ute, and Arapaho Native Americans. St. Cajetan’s Church has a rich history and was built for the Mexican and Native American community to attend church. Later the church became the headquarters for the Chicano Movement in Denver, of which my parents were part of.

Displaced is a hand tufted rug that depicts the Auraria Campus over time. This artwork illustrates my family which involve the Auraria campus as well as the communities from the past and present. In creating a rug that a person may walk upon, my work connects with walking upon the land of my ancestors and following in their footsteps.  Conversely, so many of the students who walk across the Auraria Campus are not aware of its layered histories of community displacement. Unfortunately, people who are moved from one place or position can experience loss of belonging as well as community.  Not forgetting ensures memories and histories. One thing we all have in common is that we all will die, and our stories are forgotten. By placing my silhouette among the figures and symbols on the rug, my presence endures as both descendant of displaced Aurarian and a student who attends the Auraria Campus.