SCA “Release Valve”

Friday, April 4, 1:45-3:15

To envision the Future of Memory, we must first take care of the NOW. California archivists, memory keepers, and cultural heritage workers entered 2025 facing dual hardships: the devastation from the Los Angeles wildfires and the disruption caused by executive orders impacting our work, livelihoods, and profession.

If you need a space to process or escape these new realities, even if only for 90 minutes, please visit the “release valve” rooms presented by the Local Arrangements Committee. Each room is designed to provide outlets for reflection, meditation, creation, advocacy, expression, and observation, or serve as a non-structured space where attendees can engage as much or as little as they desire.

Decompression Session in the Archives

El Camino room

Join us in a safe, non-judgmental, and private space to express your feelings, share your thoughts and experiences, or just be present in solidarity with other attendees facing extreme stressors and concerns.

Salvage and Memory: Creating, Meditating, and Sharing Our Expertise with Communities in Need Through Zine Making

Garland Ballroom

Joining forces! Due to unforeseen circumstances, the “Create, Meditate, Advocate with Zine Making” and “Salvage and Memory: Sharing Our Expertise with Communities in Need” sessions will now be combined into a single space.

This session focuses on how the expertise of SCA AGM attendees can aid in the salvaging and memory-keeping efforts of those affected by the LA wildfires. Those familiar with conducting oral histories and DIY preservation in a community setting are especially encouraged to attend.

This room will be equipped with supplies, inspirational messages, and guides for creating zines, collages, and other assembled artworks. This creative space is perfect for those who want to work with their hands to focus, find solace, socialize, mobilize, or simply have fun.

Templates will be provided for those who choose to share your expertise by making a “DIY Salvage and Memory” zine for those impacted by the LA wildfires. These zines will be photocopied and donated to the Altadena Public Library Zine Collection where they will be available for community members to access!