Samantha Cadenas-Arzate (she/her)

My family and Latino heritage have been an important part of my life. My mother is a first-generation American with parents who migrated from Mexico and El Salvador. Also, my father was born in Nicaragua and migrated to the U.S. at a young age. Growing up in Los Angeles, my mom and I enjoyed long-distance walks and rides on the Metro, the local transit system. Traveling throughout the city, I was inspired by how my community, and neighboring communities, brought pride and advocacy into their art and culture. As a designer, I am interested in creating work that shares stories and fosters the connections we have with one another. I see design as a tool for communication, expression, healing, and empowerment. My goal is to spend my life creating work that is sincere and radiant.

L www.cadenasarzate.com
O Design Major
R Rowland Heights, CA

Lo Que Amas

Lo Que Amas: A Cookbook Dedicated to Mama Vera, is about how food can help us honor, remember and cherish the memories of our loved ones. Recently, my grandmother, whom all of my family knew as Mama Vera, passed away which had a huge impact on my family. I have created a recipe book of Mama Vera’s favorite dishes she enjoyed cooking and sharing with us. Each dish is associated with memories and stories my family has shared about Mama Vera. The book contains excerpts of text relating to healing, grief, and the loss of a loved one. In addition, I designed a scarf using elements of the ingredients she most commonly used in her dishes. With this project, I hope to help heal my family’s and my grief from my grandmother’s recent passing, and celebrate and remember the life she lived. Sharing a meal can hold a special connection between people, so I hope anyone who reads this cookbook can reflect on their relationships and how food might nurture their bond with loved ones.

View full publication: Lo Que Amas: A Cookbook Dedicated to Mama Vera