At the height of the coffee production in El Salvador, 95% of the country’s income came from coffee crops, yet the land was owned by only .01% of the population. This resulted in vast land ownership and economic inequalities, especially for those working the coffee fields. Any protest by coffee farmers was met with harsh and deadly force from the government and coffee farm owners. This suppression of protest led civilians to form a guerilla that resulted in a civil war, which lasted 12 years because the US helped fund it.

The war was fought in small towns, on farms, in forests and jungles and the combat was surrounded by banana plants, coffee plants, mangoes, and palm trees. Reconciliation Garden brings these plants into the gallery to serve as a place for meditation, conversation, and acknowledgement of the history of the US in El Salvador. The exhibition specifically highlights, how our actions that we might take for granted in our daily routines, such as coffee, are loaded with histories of exploitation, genocide, and imperialism.

This project is possible thanks to a Truth and Reconciliation grant by ArtsWave, with support from the City of Cincinnati, Duke Energy, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, and the Arts Vibrancy Recovery Fund. Also thanks to the collaboration and input from the following coffee farms and activist organizations: Cooperativa El Espino, Cooperativa San Isidro, Cafe Juayúa, Renacer, and Ferocacen.

Please join us on July 25th at 2pm at The Welcome Project for a discussion with Salvadoran coffee producers, Linda Gonzalez and Juan Jose from Café Juayúa. They’ll discuss the history of their small family coffee farm, the current state of coffee in El Salvador and the hope for the future. Salvadoran quesadillas and coffee from their farm will be served during the event.