Alicia Mary Retes, C.I.G., C.I.T.

Storytelling Artisan and Educator

     Alicia promotes and supports other storytellers through Artist Standing Strong Together (ASST, "assist), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting a growing collective of Independent Artist whose mission is to connect t artists with resources. Founders Donna Washington and Sheila Arnold created ASST as a direct result of COVID. Monthly Special Programs (MSP) is an ASST Zoom program with varied topics. As a creative producer and Emcee, Alicia continues to design MSP programs.

     "COVID Shape Shifter - Tragedies Turned Triumphant" a show giving voice to personal stories of transforming pandemic tragedies into triumph. From Canada and across the United States including Indigenous Citizens of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the Wyandotte Nation in Central Sierra Mewuk Territory, 8 performers emerged to share how they adapting their lives and communities for the better.  Feature Tellers: Tim Tingle, BZ Smith, Genevieve N. Franklin, Kristin Pedemonti, Mindy Donner, Laura Simms, Mike Tomson and Gail Mello Weaver.

      "You and I - Oh My!” Seven Tandem Teller​s perform stories of an event that led them both to share an "Oh My!" moment. 14 performers across the US and Candada, team up to share enticing experiences ranging from truck stop mishaps and camping adventures to love affairs and deepen spiritual connections. Featured Tandem Tellers: Steve Daut & Robin Nott, Howard Liberman & Loren Niemi, Patti Chistensen & James Nielsen The Story Patchwork Story Theater, Linda & Gary Kuntz , Johanne Pelletier & Ronna Levy, Judith Onesty & Les Schafer Two Tellers Telling and Shayne Larango & Hayley Turner.

     Born and raised in San Diego California, Alicia spent her summers in Huatabampo, Sonora, Mexico, a Yoreme (Mayo) ceremonial town. She traveled in the family yellow Dodge Dart Station Wagon camping along the West Coast and across the US to national, state and parks. Growing up in a bi-lingual, Mexican-American household sparked her fascination with cultural diversity, languages and natural history.As an adult, she has lived, traveled and explored the ecosystems and Native cultural arts in California, Mexico, Hawaii, Panama and Australia.

Land Acknowledgement

Alicia resides in the unceded sovereign lands of the Coast Miwok known today as Marin County. Despite the cultural genocide through missionization by the Spanish and the piracy tactics of the English, they are still here and have been since time immemorial. This is true for the unceded lands of Coast Miwok in Marin County where I reside and the unceded lands of the Yoeme (Yaqui) of Sonora, Mexico and of whom I am descended. They both remain dedicated to upholding and renewing the traditional customs and practices of their ancestors.

     She encourages learning more about the Coast Miwok Tribal Council of Marin and supporting their current and future projects. Please visit www.coastmiwokofmarin.org "Since time immemorial; as long as the sun has filled the days with the gift of light, and as long as the moon has guided our path at night, the Coast Miwok people, who hold the uncontested aboriginal title, have occupied, tended, stewarded, and held sacred ceremonies, defended and governed according to the traditions of their ancestors the unceded lands of present-day Marin County, California".

Check out their Youtube video sponsored by the San Geronimo Valley Planning Group Members  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGSTnJmAhqQ

Throughout the Americas, Indigenous Tribal Nations have maintained their deep understanding of our precious ecosystems that allowed them to thrive for thousands of years long before western contact. Indigenous People and their traditional cultural knowledge are a vital part of our present and future lives on the Earth. We must heed their call to protect all water resources and ecosystems now and for future generations. After all, we are all humans living on the same Mother Earth.

     In her expressive telling, tricksters become lively, interesting, deceptive, hapless and funny characters, who embody a range of human emotions and reactions while providing opportunities to transform preconceived ideas and unite audiences in laughter.  Alicia is especially fond of retelling Indigenous stories from her travels to honor the original inhabitants and their land.  She fully embraces the unique personality, body, movement, voice and spirit of a variety of characters. Alicia incorporates music, including songs of her own composition in English, Spanish, and various Indigenous languages, along with ethnic instruments like the didjeridu taught her by the Aboriginal Australian Tjapukai people.

Hearts Desire Beach 2014 Tule Boat Building with Charlie Kennard of San Anselmo, a long-time basket weaver and student of California Indian and other traditional basketry techniques of the world.

2024 - 2025  Museum of the American Indian, Novato, CA. Alicia was recognized for her many years of service as the interpretive guide and education director at the grand reopening of the museum. She exhibited her multiple media artwork along with Henri Frank, Yourok, Pomo and former vice president, and Jackie Fawn, Yurok, Washoe, Filipino, a graphic illustrator. www.marinindian.com.

       Alicia has engaged thousands of students learning about the Miwoks and other Native American Indian cultural ways for over 12 years and is the former education director and lead interpretive guide for the Museum of the American Indian, Novato, California.  She has shared her work at various Indigenous California gatherings including the Coast Miwok Big Time Celebrations at Kule Loklo, Point Reyes National Seashore, and the Siakumne Tribe and 4 Element Earth Education at the Salmon and Bear Celebrations at Burton Educational Preserve, Nevada County. She has participated with numerous Miwok cultural workshops and performances with Sky Road, Coast Miwok throughout the Bay area.  https://youtu.be/ViKYQ-QnN6A      

A Sounding Board visit to the Museum of the American Indian at Miwok Park in Novato - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMQOGIUFoNk

Companion Plants Program- Elementary Students crafted corn husk plant characters, wrote and performed short stories, designed menus and feasted on their plant-based meals.  

Willow Bay Nut Basket by Alicia.

Family Friendly Programs.

Libraries, Schools, Community Centers, Museums,  Storytelling Festivals and Other Special Events.

Alicia.M.Retes@gmail.com

ART EXHIBITS

Since 1975

The video provides a glimpse into the enchanting world of the ancient/modern customs of the Yaqui and Mayo Easter Ceremonial traditions dating back to the early seventeenth century. Translated in Spanish, it was donated to Mayo Cultural Center, Sonora, Mx.

Alicia thrives on Trickster and Shape-Shifter stories like Coyote Raven, Rabbit, Frog and Humans!

Two Program Options.

A. 20-minute single rendition of "Yaqui Two Bears" - a traditional legend of love, betrayal and redemption.                  $200 plus travel expenses over 30 minutes round trip.

B. 1-hour program with story and presentation of touchable Mayo/Yaqui cultural materials including palm woven baskets, wool blankets, musical deer hooved instruments, photos of 1990 Mayo dancers, goat skin masks, horsehair hat bands, etc. $385 plus travel.

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2022  San Geronimo Valley Community Center (SGVCC)  As an artist in-residence, Alicia presented her original Companion Plant Character Stories and exhibited 100 sculptures ranging from 1' to 8' tall plant chacters. She performed for SGVCC's Annual International Peace Festival and taught the Lagunitas School District Students K-8 how to craft their own character dolls.

2012 SGVCC hosted a retrospective of Alicia's work from the 1970's to 2012 that included colorful batik hand paintings, black and white silkscreen prints, exquisite feather artwork,  and papier mache' from pinatos to a whale vertebra. Guests enjoyed Hawaiian music including the song Ka O' pai with Alicia playing the didgeridoo, Allen Bernes on ukulele and Tom Barr on harmonica.

This multidimensional program is designed to support a sense of community and shared responsibilities between individuals while reflecting the spirit of cooperation and interconnectedness inherent in Indigenous cultures.

The Three Sisters is a traditional ecological farming technique that fosters a symbiotic relationship between plants, maximizes yields and promotes sustainable agriculture while holding cultural significance. There are many Native American legends about these plant sisters who also hold signifigant spiritual and cultural values. Their stories underscore the power and viability of working together for mutual benefit. An exemplar for us to follow in our communities resulting in respecting differences, common wellness needs, cooperation, abundance and a healthy environment. The intelligence of plants in that way helps lead the way toward creating harmony and peace. This inspired Alicia to create her innovative  storytelling program, Companion Plant Stories and Songs where she weaves stories and songs with the visual arts.

     Imagine several 1 inch to 6 foot tall corn leaf characters planted in a portable garden mound on wheels. Corn, Bean and Squash are the lead story characters who reach into the audience to express their trials and tribulations while revealing their roots within the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. Join Alicia as she explores and develops other other companion plant puppets like Tantalizing Tomatina, Cilantro El Magnífico, Basil the Brave and Odorous Onion who defend her from the ravages of the Devious HornWorm.

Meets CA Core Standards: Social Studies, Creative Arts, Native American & Earth Sciences K-5.

Trickster Tales

Companion Plants Stories and Songs

Legend of the Yaqui Two Bears

Corn Husk Doll Workshops

Lagunitas School District T/K - 7 G.

About Alicia

One hour depending on size and audience age. 75 minutes set up, 30-40 minutes repack and load.

Highly popular program available all year round. Books quickly throughout the Greater Bay Area especially for Fall.

$400 plus roundtrip travel expenses over 30 minutes. Contact  Alicia: Alicia.M.Retes@gmail.com     4156960078

Mixed Media Artwork

     Alicia's adaptation of Gulpilil's Australian Aboriginal tale is hillariously entertaining. Gurukmun, a giant frog drank all the water from the rivers, lakes and even the ocean! The animals try to reasonn with Gurukmun to return the water. Kangaroo, Emu, Bandicoot, Kookaburra, and Wombat attempt to make him laugh to release the water, but nothing seems to work--until the Nabunm the old Ell shows up. Alicia will share her travels in Australia and play the didgeridoo, an ancient Aboriginal wind instrument taught to her in the Northern Territory of Kuranda by the Tjpukai People.

For young children, colored photos (and a few "stufies") of the animal characters are provided. Audiences will experience the sound of the didgeridoo and be invited to play and assortment of percussion insturments.  A 45 minute program, requires 45 minute set up, 20 minute take down. $325 plus travel expenses over 30 minute round trip.

Gurukman the Greedy Frog

    Alicia camped in the foothills of the Sierra Madre in the 1990's to connect with and record the art and culture of the Mayo artisans in Sonora, Mexico. She learned about her grandfathers' heritage as a Yoreme (Mayo) and Yoeme (Yaqui) descendant, a governmental aristocrat and a rancher born in Huatabampo, a Mayo ceremonial town.  With the assistance of her mother interviewing locals, her Mexican cousins, the Mayo village leaders, the Matachin Dance Society and Custom Video Multimedia Productions, Alicia produced "Cultural Arts of the Mayo People of Sonora, Mx.

     Alicia's love for plants and the arts was influenced at an early age by her parents. Her father, a Mexican citizen Mayo, Yaqui and European descendant managed fields of tomatoes and sunflowers.  Her mother, an English, Cherokee descendant, educator, master gardener, basket maker and award-winning crafts woman created gardens all around the house.  

     As a child, Alicia pulled weeds, planted seeds and feasted on sun-kissed apricots and lemons. Enchanted with a variety of lush, colorful, fragrant exotic plants her mother planted beneath her bedroom windows, Alicia dreamed of living in the tropics. She imagined the magnificent whimsical bird of paradise plant with its canoe shaped leaves and indigo blue to orange flowers were magical birds ready to fly her anywhere. On southern California summer evenings, the warm spicy scent of brilliantly yellow Kahili torch gingers merged with sweet night blooming jasmine enhancing her dreams to someday live in Hawaii. Indeed she did for 10 years and continues to visit her family and friends on Maui.  

     For over a year, Alicia lived in a deserted Hawaiian fishing villages spearing fish and lobsters to eat. She traded her catch for tropical fruits and fresh water with a Hawaiian fisherman who came once a month. He would pull his outrigger canoe onto the black sand beach to offload the precious cargo. Quite often they shared his homemade poi together.  

Have fun playing a variety of indigenous percussion instruments.  

Experience original and Pan American influenced stories and sing-along songs.

The unique gift that Alicia brings to storytelling is her absolute engagement of the story with the movement of her physical body, voices and the heart she puts into each character. There were many responses of "oohs" and "aahs," giggles and cheers.   

Barbara Zarate, Patawommeck, Blackfoot

Performing songs with Sky Road Webb, Coast Miwok of Marin.

Sonoma County Commuinty Center, After School Program.

Dancing bears and jealous brothers.

A thirsty frog who threatens the delicate balance of creation.

A veritable stew of wisdom teachings cooked up by plants.

Entertaining, Fun and Insightful Stories.

Learn More About Coast Miwok and other Native Americans.

Museum of the American Indian https://www.marinindian.com/

Marin American Indian Alliance https://marinamericanindianalliance.org/

Miwok Archeology Preserve of Marin https://www.mapom.org/

Federated Indians of Granton Rancheria.  https://gratonrancheria.com/

Tule Boat Building with Charlie Kennard

Certified Interpretive Guide and Trainer

Nartional Association of Interpreters.

Museum of the American Indian, Novato

Oceanic Society, Ross Valley

San Diego Natural History Museum

La Jolla Scrips Aquarium, S.D.

Museum of the American Indian, Novato CA

Alicia's Spirit Doll Corn leaf, feathers and ribbons.

Earrings. New Zealand sustainable abalone, hemitite, glass and bone beads with parrot and peacock feathers.

Hawaiian Grass Skirt Hula Dancer Corn leaf and yarn with water color backdrop.

A View From The Top.

Liquitex painting on fabric.

Hibiscus. Corn leaf, ribbons and peacok feathers with watercolor background. Prints available.

Peacock Leather Mask

May 9 to May 25  San Geronimo Valley Community Center - Spring Art Show, Maurice Del Mue Galleries Opening reception on Friday, May 9th, 6:30—until 9 pm. Artwork from over 100 San Geronimo and Nicasio Artists, enjoy old time music, delicious appetizers and friendly community.

May 1 - June 24  Tiburon Town Hall - "We Know Who We Art" 4 Indigenous ArtistsReception, Tuesday May 13 6 - 8pm  Artist Panel/Unole Drum June 7 Time to be announced. See flyer.

April 7 - May 30     Stewards of the Land. Indigenous & Latinax Portraits - Traveling Show - Launched at San Geronimo Valley Community Center. Features black and white portraits by Sasha Gulish. Curated by Cory Vangelder. Next location to be announced.

Current Art Shows

Pele. Corn leaf sculpture with tropical flower background photograph..

Moana. Corn leaf sculpture photographed with tropical leaves.

Paradise Found. Visionary oil landscape on canvas.

Corn Sister with Full Moon.  1'   tall story character made of corn leaves, a feathered vest, dentalia and abalone beads with a leather drum behind her. Photo prints available on request.

Bean Sister. Photography of 1' story character made of corn leaves and ribbons.

Pumpkin Sister. 1' tall story character made of corn leaves sitting on a real pumpkin.

"Her warm and inviting presence made us feel as if we were all part of the “tribe.”

Although we were listening to a folktale from centuries ago, Alicia brought an immediacy that made the audience feel as if this incident had recently occurred in our own time.

Margaret Stawowy, Children’s Librarian II, City of San Rafael

Next Public Storytelling Zoom     Wednesday May 21, 2025 7 pm PST

Storytelling Association of California Presents Legends: Urban and Traditional.

Recently performed live at the Wu Wei Tea Temple, Fairfax, CA,  Alicia will Zoom the entertaining tale of  Gurukmun, an Australian Aboriginal legend of a giant greedy frog who drank all the water from the rivers, lakes and even the ocean! The animals try to reasonn with Gurukmun to return the water. Alicia's characterization of Kangaroo, Emu, Bandicoot, Kookaburra, and Wombat is funny as they attempt to make Gurukman laugh to release the water, but nothing seems to work--until the Nabunm the old Ell shows up.

Join us for a fun evening of  Legends: Urban & Traditional. Please copied the link below to register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sac-story-swap-genre-series-legends-urban-traditional-tickets-951762064957

Tomal Tina A corn leaf story character with feather headress.

2025 - Marin County

San Geronimo Valley Community Center.

Stewards of the Land Climate Fest

35th Annual Spring Art Show

Tiburon Hall, Tiburon.

Aloha! Photograh of corn leaf sculpture with tropical leaves of Maui.

Digital Prints Available On Request.

Actual character sizes 3 - 8 " tall.

Alicia.M.Retes@gmail.com

Li Sha' Self portrait 1975 Liqiuitex painting of fabric.