The Models: 

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The Jessa Living Altar
Subject: Ramie Czyzewski
 

In Korean culture, a Jesa (제사) is an ancestral ritual or memorial ceremony performed to honor deceased family members. Jessa ceremonies often involve an altar set with food, drinks, and symbolic offerings presented to the spirits of the ancestors, during significant holidays as well as on the anniversary of an ancestor’s death. Family members will prepare traditional foods and arrange them in a specific order on the ceremonial table. There is a ritual sequence, including bows and sometimes offerings of incense, followed by a shared family meal of the prepared foods, which symbolizes receiving blessings from the ancestors.

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The practice of Jesa emphasizes family unity and reverence, with the belief that ancestors continue to watch over and protect their descendants. This tradition is one way for families to remain rooted in their cultural and familial history, strengthening the sense of identity across generations. The makeup on Ramie’s face is symbolic of the Korean flag, roots on her face connect her to ancestors through her altar. The teapot sits on a bed of rice made in the symbol of Ying Yang of the Korean flag.

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Nurture and Nature - Hmong

Subject: Judy Vang
 

The Hmong people maintain their traditions through various practices that preserve their language, customs, spiritual beliefs, and community values. They make certain of keeping their traditions alive, through oral histories, storytelling, teaching the Hmong language and preserving traditional arts and crafts. In this image you can see Judy with her mother’s basket, and bamboo that was collected. Together with the stunning hydrangea from her garden they represent the longevity and grace in their presence.

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Nature and Nurture - Japan
Subject: Chieko Murasugi
 

The pottery pieces belonging to her mother—artifacts passed down to decorate the roots and photos—reflect both heritage and inherited artistry. This white frame with mirrors was chosen to complement the ivory-toned Buddha and floral charms, the mirror is a reflection of who we are looking to our past. Chieko, an artist herself, has transformed the painful legacy of WWII, a tragedy her mother endured, into stunning kimonos. One kimono, in particular, is crafted with hexagonal patterns inspired by the shape of certain wartime bombs, adorned with vibrant oranges and purples. Inspired by that kimono I sourced white chrysanthemums with similar splashes of color, along with shades of purple mums, to echo her mother’s kimono, which she wears in this portrait. In Chieko’s culture, chrysanthemums represent longevity and nobility, as does the color purple.

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Nature and Nurture - Peru
Subject: Cesar Cortes

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Music has been what allows Cesar to feel connected to not only his culture but his ancestors, a passion and talent he has passed on to his children. It is a part of his everyday life and expressed in the double image, it’s where he comes alive. The lilies, like the frame, are Peruvian. The frame, a last-minute addition has small images of men in traditional clothing that mimic the image of him in the double exposure wearing the traditional clothing. The frame is also in traditional postcolonial style.

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Nature and Nurture - Jewish Culture-Seder
Subject: Steve and Cynthia Drysdale
 

This image beautifully captures Steve and Cynthia’s deep appreciation for other cultures, as well as their commitment to honoring traditions through connection and storytelling. Draped in symbolic attire, they sit at the heart of a setting that bridges heritage and community. Surrounding them are meaningful elements: family photographs, candlelight and sacred texts, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and timeless. The scene evokes the warmth and significance of gathering for meals, a universal tradition that transcends cultural boundaries. Steve and Cynthia’s openness to other cultures shines through in their celebration of Seder, where sharing food, stories, and rituals fosters understanding and unity. Their presence in this living tableau becomes a testament to the power of embracing diverse traditions and finding shared humanity through acts of remembrance and connection.

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Nature and Nurture - Nigeria-Nigerian Independence Day

Subject: Oluwole Thompson

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Oluwole has maternal roots in Nigeria and paternal in Sierra Leone. His connection to his Nigerian heritage is less well-documented, with only a limited collection of ancestral photos. Like many children of immigrants, he faces loss of photos during migration or displacement-precious artifacts for all cultures, often lost along with the stories they tell. Oluwole’s search for details about his heritage mirrors the broader struggle of preserving cultural identity in the face of such loss. He like many other immigrants, feels a yearning to uncover the past, while also grappling with the beauty and complexity of memories shaped post-colonialism. In this image, Oluwole chose to honor his roots by wearing traditional clothing and incorporating the Nigerian flag and its Independence Day. This gesture symbolizes a unification of the beauty of and resilience of his ancestors.

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Nature and Nurture - Mexico-Día de los Muertos y La Catrina

Subject: Evelyn Chavez
Makeup by Gabby Andrade
 

My immediate ancestors trace back to Durango, Mexico. Growing up in a family of farm workers who were first-generation citizens, there wasn’t much time for art or hobbies—there simply weren’t enough hours in the day. Much of my childhood was spent with my grandparents, as was the case for some of my cousins. Although our beginnings were humble, love was infinite and time spent together was precious. I was fortunate to share bedtime routines with my grandmother, Balvina, where my “bedtime stories” were tales of our antepasados—our ancestors.

 

My grandmother was the family historian, weaving vivid narratives and sharing photos as reference points for her stories, as she would weave my hair into beautiful art with delicate ribbons. Her art came through in other ways: her skill in mending clothes, and the individualized love she showed to each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her passing was an immense loss for our family, as the matriarch always is.

 

Thanks to the sacrifices and hard work of my ancestors, living and passed, I’ve been blessed with the time and opportunity to explore my passions and dedicate it to learning more about our culture. I chose Día de los Muertos as a way to both mourn and celebrate my grandmother and the immense love and legacy she left behind. I created this Living Catrina as a breathing, tangible embodiment of the photos and included altar items onto her. In its presence, I felt the warmth and connection to the souls of those who have passed. With the help of Evelyn Chavez and Gabby Andrade on makeup, I was able to see their spirits come to life.

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Nature and Nurture - India-Día de los Muertos and Catholic Influence
Subject: Anthony Gomes
Makeup by Anthony Gomes and Monica Inez

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This image of Anthony illustrates Desi culture influenced by Catholicism and their similarities of altars for the dead; this image represents a unique blend of traditions, merging South Asian heritage with the spiritual and visual elements of Mexican and influenced by Catholic rituals, including typical Day of the dead makeup as a base with the intricate This fusion creates a vibrant aesthetic and narrative that honors ancestors, celebrates life, and explores the themes of mortality and spirituality. This blend creates an art form that bridges continents and traditions, celebrating both the vibrant spirituality of Desi Culture and the profound reverence for life and death found in Día de los Muertos and Catholicism. It’s a testament to the beauty of cultural exchange and the universality of honoring those who came before us.

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Nature and Nurture - Occaneechi Tribe

Subject: Vickie Jeffries

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Vickie Jeffries, a basket weaver and indigenous herbalist Of the Occaneechi Tribe, has always felt deeply connected to the healing properties of nature’s medicine. She recognizes the unique energy that trees and plants share and give to the others around. As the tribe does not celebrate typical holidays, Vickie honors her ancestors through her bond with Mother Earth. Serving as her tribe’s medicine woman, she carries forward this sacred connection. In this image, the wreath surrounding her is crafted from an array of local healing plants, each holding medicinal significance as well as a dreamcatcher made by Vickie and eagle feathers given to her as an honor by elders. The herbs include rosemary, Joe Pye weed, hay-scented fern, witch hazel, bee balm, self-heal, black cohosh, river oats, St. Johns wort, pokeweed, skullcap, baptisia, culver’s root, common milkweed, butterfly milkweed, golden rod, beautyberry, mountain mint, and echinacea. Together these plants symbolize her role as a healer and her deep respect for the land’s natural gifts.