1919 : SEIZE THE NOW

Devin Ruth Adams, aka Autonomy Star, left her body on September 25, 2006 with an incredible legacy to her name. For instance, Devin's work with building and developing the mission of the 1919 Hemphill community safe space was often under credited, but entirely crucial. Friends and family of Devin came out to the space on October 9, 2006 to remember and celebrate her life and help their healing process.

It was an incredible sight, really, where many people from all over Fort Worth and beyond gathered and created a space for our memories and tears. Devin touched many communities all over DFW, and this night was proof positive.

We constructed a 4-tiered altar and painted ceiling tiles downstairs in her honor to keep her in our presence at the space. The altar remained in tact for the rest of the month until it was moved to the Rose Marine Theatre for a Day of Dead celebration over the weekend of October 27-29. It grew there with more friends and loved ones contributing. Her memory and legacy also grew as strangers, so impressed with the altar, would ask "Who was this?" From there, the memorial altar traveled to the Metrognome Collective for another Day of the Dead celebration on November 1, and it grew even larger there!

Daina, Devin's mother, established contact with us and expressed interest in seeing the altar built again. So we transported it back to the space, where she helped us rebuild it yet again in its 4-tiered glory. She even added new elements to it, so once again, it grew. It still stands today upstairs. Candles and incense burn at every show, and uninitiated faces inevitably wander over to soak in our outpouring of love and appreciation of our dearly departed.

Here are some pictures of the altar and the ceiling tiles for those who are unable to travel to the space to see them in person. We'll be adding updated pictures of the altar and of Devin soon.

In Love and Solidarity, 1919 Hemphill