Common Ground
Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, Oakland, CA
Funded by the "California Stories" Project of the California Council for the Humanities

"Common Ground" explores the cultural heritage of recent Mien immigrants who have created vegetable gardens on the site of the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, an historical site at the heart of the city of Oakland. Diverse youth who utilize the park have sometimes conflicted with the gardeners, who grow unique Mien plantings in gardens at the park. "Common Ground" brings together the Mien gardeners and youth in dialogue through hands-on exploration of cooking and gardening traditions; an exhibition documenting this project is being mounted both in the gardens and buildings at this historic site.