Join the City of San Luis Obispo’s Public Art Program and the SLO County Arts Council October 21st for the 2026 Rooted in Art Lecture Series with Linnea Valdivia!
The Rooted in Art Series is a yearlong celebration of creativity, culture, and community. Dedicated to the memory of Allen Root, this series invites a wide range of artists, creative practitioners, and art‑engaged community members to share their work, ideas, and perspectives on how art shapes life in San Luis Obispo.
Lectures take place on the third Wednesday of each month and begin with a brief community update from City Public Art staff and the Arts Council, followed by a featured speaker presentation and audience Q&A.
This month’s lecture
October 21, Linnea Valdivia
In “Unruly Bodies: Monstrosity, Race and Gender in Pop Culture,” cultural worker Linnea Valdivia examines the figure of the monster or freak as both a liberatory and controlling force within popular culture. Using tools from performance studies and critical race theory, Valdivia will guide audiences through video screenings, group discussion, and an interactive exercise analyzing visual culture through an intersectional lens. Valdivia currently serves as Program Manager for the GALA Pride and Diversity Center.