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Features


nichols canyon creek, los angeles, creekfreaks
Christina Gandolfo

Soaked Through

The creek freaks of Los Angeles seek out the city’s secret water—and fight to set it free. By Denise Hamilton • Photos by Christina Gandolfo


urainium illustration
Mark Smith

The Uraniumaire

Written off by government geologists, blackballed by the oil and gas industry, and nearly broke, Charlie Steen had something to prove: that huge deposits of radioactive uranium could be found near Moab, Utah. The mines he drilled would change his life—and the surrounding area—forever. By Julian SmithIllustrations by Mark Smith


petroglyphs of paiute or shoshone origin near the owens valley in the eastern sierra, carved into volcanic tuff by chipping away the dark, top layer and exposing a light surface below
Gordon Wiltsie

The ‘Orderly Anarchy’ of Ancient California

Anthropologist Robert Bettinger’s startling discoveries suggest that California-style
hunting and gathering spread widely throughout the prehistoric West. By Robert Roper • Photos by Gordon Wiltsie


jill bernheimer, amy atwood, domain la
Christina Gandolfo

Uncharted Terroir

The L.A. women behind the West Coast rise of natural wine. By Sydney Love • Photos by Christina Gandolfo



Art


judy chicago, through the flower 2, 1973, by judy chicago
© Judy Chicago/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; Collection of Diane Gelon; Photo BY Donald Woodman; Judy Chicago photo by Penni Gladstone

A Retrospective Long Overdue

The pioneering artist Judy Chicago is celebrated in the city that launched her career. By Bridget Quinn

Judy Chicago in Her Own Words

By Bridget Quinn


matt black
© MATT BLACK; Gregg Segal

In Search of an ‘American Geography’

The Central Valley’s Matt Black spent six years and traveled more than 100,000 miles—often by bus—photographing the ubiquity of poverty across the United States. By Jessica Zack


lemon grove historical society
Lemon Grove Historical Society

Alta Picks: Off the Wall

California’s world-class museums and galleries are an art lover’s dream. But don’t stop there. Surprising displays of creativity are everywhere. From desert plains to small-town alleys, here are six of our favorite places to experience art off the beaten path. By Jessica Blough, Nasim Ghasemiyeh, and Sarah Stodder


michael govan, the ceo and director of lacma, and stephanie barron
Gregg Segal

New Times, New Histories

LACMA reimagines itself for the 21st century, challenging accepted notions of what artworks should be displayed and for whom. By Hunter Drohojowska-Philp


william t wiley at his studio in woodacre, california, in 2010
Jeff Vendsel/Marin Independent Journal

Funk Art and the Pursuit of Authenticity

William T. Wiley and his creative philosophy were unapologetically linked to the Bay Area. By Charles Desmarais


dave hickey illustration
THOMAS EHRETSMANN

Not Everyone Should Be a Critic

Dave Hickey and the problem of great art going unappreciated. By Jim Lewis


hale woodruffs 1949 mural portrays black people in ways that segregated media ignore
PHOTO © Robin Dunitz

PERSONAL FAVORITES



Dispatches


homeschooling illustration, catherine womack
James Ransome

We’re All Homeschoolers Now

How the pandemic revealed the value of lessons learned outside the classroom. By Catherine WomackIllustrations by James Ransome


chris lowe, shark lab
Tod Seelie

A Shiver of Sharks

Why have so many juvenile white sharks made the California coast their home? By Katharine GammonPhotos by Tod Seelie


first opened in 1902, sherman indian high school, originally known as sherman institute, has housed several generations of indigenous students
Sherman Indian Museum

The Hard-Learned Lessons of History

California’s last boarding school for Indigenous students moves toward embracing—not disgracing—tradition and culture. By Robert Ito


rue mapp
CHRISTIE HEMM KLOK

Trailblazer: Rue Mapp

Reconnecting to the Outdoors. By Jessica Klein



Culture


heritage barbecue’s offerings are based on central texas staples like brisket, ribs, chicken, and sausage with sides ranging from mac ’n’ cheese to cornbread prepared with southern california flair
Andrea D’Agosto

A Taste of Austin in Orange County

Heritage Barbecue perfected Central Texas–style brisket, sausage, and ribs. But because this is California, it also serves pastrami, pork adobo, and Jidori chicken. By Gustavo Arellano • Photos by Andrea D’Agosto


anna halprin
GETTY IMAGES

A Grande Dame of Dance

Anna Halprin left the New York scene in the 1940s to pioneer postmodern performance from a mountain deck in Northern California. Over the next 75 years, she created works with power to heal people and the environment, and to promote peace. By Carla Blank


sleep nights
Victor Juhasz

Fiction: ‘Sleep Nights’

By Blaise Zerega • Illustrations by Victor Juhasz



Books


contributors book guide
Alta

Bound Together

Books by Alta Journal Contributors


maxine hong kingston
Lacy Atkins/San Francisco Chronicle

Why I Write: To Change the World

By Maxine Hong Kingston

Why You Should Read This: The Woman Warrior

By David L. Ulin


tommy orange
Christopher D. Thompson

Why I Write: Fire Season

By Tommy Orange

Why You Should Read This: There There

By David L. Ulin


hector tobar
Dustin Snipes

Why I Write: To Be Tall

By Héctor Tobar

Why You Should Read This: The Barbarian Nurseries

By David L. Ulin


larry mcmurtry
Steve Carroll

The Pastures of the Empty Page

Larry McMurtry and the literature of place. By David L. UlinIllustration by Steve Carroll



In Every Issue


Publisher’s Note: The Poet As a Storyteller

By Will Hearst

• Contributors

Altatude

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