The International Sonoran Desert Alliance

The International Sonoran Desert Alliance is comitted to preserving and enriching the environment, culture, and economy of the Sonoran Desert.
About The International Sonoran Desert Alliance

The International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) is an alliance of peoples from three Nations: the Tohono O’odham Nation, Mexico and the United States. We are committed to fostering communication, understanding and cooperation among the richly diverse cultures in our region. Our intention is to preserve and enrich heritage in a way that transcends borders and boundaries. This work manifests in suport for a series of creative placemaking/placekeeping developments, festivals, community arts engagements, performances, public art, and folk art. We are excited to work with regional, national, and international artists with a focus on Indigenous and Latinx artists.

Vicki Tapp
Preferred Pronouns: she/her/hers
vicki@isdanet.org
520-387-3570
https://www.isdanet.org/
Parade, Music, Art, Food, and Crafts are all part of the Annual International Day of Peace Celebration in Ajo, AZ
Festivals

Every year around September 21st, the International Sonoran Desert Alliance, in collaboration with the local school, businesses, civic organizations, and partners in Mexico and on the Tohono O’odham nation, holds its annual International Day of Peace celebration in Ajo, AZ. The United Nations General Assembly in 1981 passed resolution 36/67 declaring an International Day of Peace; in 2001 it declared September 21 of each year the official date for international celebration and observation.

Ajo, AZ is uniquely situated. It is at the intersection of three nations, located about 40 miles from the Mexican border and next door to the Tohono O’odham Nation. International Day of Peace in Ajo has always been completely non-political by design. It is quite simply an opportunity to intentionally gather the peoples of the Sonoran Desert together in a spirit of friendship and respect. Every year we gather in a fun, celebratory way that highlights respect for the rich diversity of the region and the world at-large.

Mural by Harriet "HazardOne" Wood on warehouse in Ajo, AZ
Public Art

Artists spark a creative community that brings people together, attracts visitors and stimulates the local economy. The Sonoran Desert, and Ajo particularly, represent a convergence and critical mass of creatives. This convergence manifests in all sorts of artistic expression. One area where ISDA supports the creation of public art is by supporting the creation of individual and collective works of public art in the heart of the Sonoran Desert.

Stilt performers with the Bi-cultural Road Show performing a piece in historic downtown Ajo, AZ
Presenting Performers
Art is a disarming vehicle for deep and substantive community development. The International Sonoran Desert Alliance (ISDA) maintains that supporting and curating open artistic expression is one of the most powerful tools in the proverbial community development toolbox. As such, we are committed to supporting local, regional, national and international artists in community-engaged presentations and performances. Whether it be a piece interacting with the built environment or one highlighting an issue of concern for the region, ISDA seeks to present performers that enrich the local and regional community dialogue. As a proud member of the National Performance Network (NPN), ISDA is able to bring national and international performers to the Sonoran Desert and to empower Sonoran Desert artists to present nationally via other NPN partner presenters.

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