February 23, at 10 am, 3845 North Swan Street – "The Great Migration"
Hidden in the mountains of the Upper Mimbres, artist Joshua Wells, now retired educator of Cobre Schools and Los Alamos Schools, creates massive, welded metal and ceramic sculptures. Using found objects sourced from junk piles, auto salvage yards, resale shops, and the forest floor, he turns assorted detritus into sculptures and assemblages that have a singular narrative in that, collectively, tell the story of The Great Migration, an often-overlooked piece of American history.
"I recall finding my artistic 'voice' and 'chosen aesthetic' in 2017 after a long chat with my father over how he found himself in the West. Not sure if he knew exactly what his leaving was called, but he said that the rest of his family left the Jim Crow South from Mississippi and headed for Chicago, considered 'The Promised Land' at that time. For him, that would be 1947, making his exodus during the second wave," Wells said.
After returning from demanding professional positions in China, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan in 2016, Joshua Wells kept to a long-held promise and returned to school to earn a BFA in Studio Arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts, graduating in 2020 with a BFA majoring in Sculpture.
He realized then that the exodus of blacks out of the South, known as The Great Migration, would become his artistic focus and it remains so to this day.
Welded metal and ceramic art production is done here in a serene mountain setting, while paintings and pastels are done in the home studio in Santa Fe. The noise of flying sparks from welding, metal and wood cutting saws, and metal fabrications can't disturb anyone.
The sculpted work has an easily identifiable aesthetic that is unique to him. Rusted, patina surfaces, semi-abstracted use of found objects; they are bold in the abstract, provocative, deliberately offensive, yet emotionally laden, indicative of the tortured lives of the migrants themselves.
There are speakers on the patio if you wish to listen to the service outside.
Childcare is available every Sunday. Zoey Cronin will lead a formal children's program on second and fourth Sundays. This Sunday will be a Children's RE program.
Children are welcome to participate on any Sunday, but they will get the most out of the program if they attend second and fourth Sundays somewhat regularly. Family adults may stay for the children's program or attend the adult program. Children are encouraged to bring a small item that represents someone or something they are grateful for that week.
UUFSC Safety Protocol as pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines:
Masks are now optional, but their use is encouraged. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio and in the building. Visitors are always welcome.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship, and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you'd like to find out more, email
