Melissa Dueñas and Valerie J. Bower

Our guests on this episode of The Altura Podcast are Melissa Dueñas and Valerie J. Bower. Well established, multifaceted makers of media compressing a roadtrip, photography and writings into the pair’s 4th zine release called “From Phoenix to San Antonio.” To go with the exhibit and zine release here at Altura LA, we’ve curated a pairing of podcast and artist to expand on the content and stories you might not get from just picking up their zine. What was a marketing assignment that ran parallel with personal southwest intrigue the two ladies sit down with Diego and Adrian to speak on many points from their trips and zines. The girls explain why they trekked between Phoenix, AZ to San Antonio, TX, how they are redefining Americana by being female people of color doing white American man things, and some readings of writings in the zine with many back story tangents. There is also Valerie’s constant need to stop for animals that we obviously have to discuss, Melissa’s family connections to where the border bends, and much more. All while drinking tea and watching Speed.

Purchase “From Phoenix to San Antonio”
https://valeriejbower.bigcartel.com/product/fromphoenixtosanantonio

Valerie J. Bower
IG: @valeriej.bower
https://valeriejbower.bigcartel.com/

Melissa Dueñas
IG: @melisduenas
https://linktr.ee/melisduenas

Shoutout to our supporters Calidad beer, Madre Mezcal and Orgullo Wine. Thank you so much for backing our space and projects. We appreciate y’all very much!

• "From Phoenix to San Antonio" purchase link