Living Altar: A Community Walk & Collective Vision || San Francisco Pottery Studio Chronicles
January is a time for visioning. A pause at the beginning of the year to imagine what we are growing into — as individuals, and as a community.
This January, we invite our Mission District neighbors to gather offline, in person, and in relationship through Living Altar: A Community Walk & Collective Vision — a slow, intentional walk connecting neighborhood spaces, stories, and shared intentions.
A gathering brought to you by artist Ivan Lopez and funded by ReGen Galeria De La Raza.
Friday, January 30 | 3:00–6:00 PM
Mission District, San Francisco
Living Altar Collection Created by Ivan Lopez with the support of Galeria De La Raza
What Is a Living Altar?
A Living Altar is not fixed — it is created through presence, listening, and collective care. It is formed by the people who gather, the stories that are shared, and the intentions that are spoken, written, or drawn into being.
This experience is a guided community walk visiting six neighborhood sculptures and gathering sites across the Mission District. At each stop, we’ll pause together to reflect, light candles, and contribute to shared books through writing, drawing, or reading aloud.
You are welcome to join us for one stop or the entire walk.
Project & Support
The Living Altars is a public art project by artist Ivan Lopez, launched with support from the ReGen Artist Fund as part of an earlier ReGen granting cycle and a direct curatorial invitation aligned with the community priorities of the upcoming ReGen Community Beautification Fund.
The project consists of six outdoor sculptures stewarded by local Mission Street businesses and organizations. Each altar invites the public to pause, reflect, and contribute through shared journals and the presence of medicinal plants. Over time, the altars become a living archive — shaped by the hopes, dreams, and voices of our neighbors — and encourage reflection on our relationship to the commons, public space, and collective care
What to Expect
A gentle, accessible walking pace
Time to connect with neighbors and local spaces
Shared rituals of intention-setting and reflection
Creative expression through drawing and writing
An embodied, offline community experience
No prior experience is needed. All are welcome.
Schedule at a Glance
3:00 PM — Gathering at Abanico Coffee Shop
Settle in, meet fellow neighbors, and arrive slowly.
Shared books will be available for drawing or writing.
Casual hangout time (30–40 minutes).
3:30 PM — Opening Circle & First Altar
Introduction to the Living Altar project and intentions for the walk.
3:45–5:30 PM — Community Walk (5 Stops)
Each stop lasts approximately 15–25 minutes.
At each location, we will:
Learn about the site or business
Light a candle
Set collective and personal intentions
Pass around shared books for reflection, writing, or drawing
5:30–6:00 PM — Closing Gathering at Artillery Ceramics
We’ll close the walk together with a fire circle, grounding our visions and honoring what was shared.
Weather Note
This gathering will take place outdoors and will continue rain or shine. Please check the weather ahead of time and dress in layers. We’ll be moving slowly and pausing often to stay warm and comfortable together.
Bring-What-You-Need Reminder
Bring what helps you feel at ease — a warm layer, comfortable shoes, a small notebook or pen if you like, water, or anything that supports your presence. Shared books and materials will also be available.
Accessibility & Care Notes
This is a slow-paced, community-centered walk with frequent pauses and places to rest. You are welcome to join for any portion of the walk and to participate in ways that feel supportive to your body and energy.
If you have access needs, questions, or would like to share what would help you feel more comfortable attending, please reach out to us in advance. We are committed to creating a gathering rooted in care, flexibility, and mutual respect.
Why This Gathering Matters
The Mission has always been a place of creativity, resilience, and care. This walk is an invitation to remember each other, to slow down, and to envision what we want to nurture together in the months ahead.
We hope you’ll join us to share your visions, dreams, and intentions — and to help create a living altar for our community.
✨ Come as you are. Bring a friend. Stay for as long as you’re able.
Land Acknowledgment
We gather on the ancestral and unceded land of the Ramaytush Ohlone people, who have stewarded this land for generations. We offer gratitude for their continued presence and honor the living relationship between land, community, and care.
