Summer 2024 at the Museum

In May, we welcomed anthropologist and author, Jason De León, to the Museum to celebrate the launch of his book, Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling. His book offers a first-hand look at the world of human smuggling in Latin America.

This free event began with a group discussion in the Hostile Terrain 94 exhibition, followed by a Q&A session in the Museum’s administration building. Jason shared about his work with the Undocumented Migration Project (UMP)—the non-profit research and arts-education collective who created the Hostile Terrain 94 participatory map installation that inspired the full exhibition.

Jason was joined by Michael Wells, the primary photographer and artistic adviser for UMP since its inception in 2009. Elana Zilberg, cultural anthropologist and Associate Professor of Communications at University of California-San Diego, and Ash Cornejo, 2024 Human Rights Fellow at the UC Berkeley School of Law, also shared about their work during both the exhibit discussion and the Q&A portions.

A selection of Wells’ photography was incorporated into the Hostile Terrain 94 exhibition and debuted at the event – featuring images taken in Mexico and Arizona, U.S.A.

During the book signing portion of the event, guests were also able to purchase copies of Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling from The Book Catapult, an independent local bookstore.

Learn more about Jason De León, The Undocumented Migration Project, and Colibrí Center for Human Rights.

We welcomed the community to celebrate pride at the Museum for our second Party with Us event in June. This year, we welcomed back the wonderful local queens from the Haus of St. James for mini performances and story time in the rotunda.

The free event also featured craft stations, a cookie-decorating contest, and special guests from the San Diego Public Library and local independent bookstore, The Book Catapult.

In July, creator of PostSecret, Frank Warren, joined us for a presentation in the Museum’s Administration Building followed by an after-hours book signing in the PostSecret exhibition.

Guests were able to meet Frank and see new additions to the exhibit, including Frank Warren’s original mailbox and some of the unique secrets sent to him on “naked mail”, which are unpackaged items sent through the mail.

Learn more about the PostSecret exhibition.