Archiving Fellowships Blog: Cashion Cultural Legacy, Part 4

By Lacy Molina-Lyon

Lacy Molina-Lyon is a 2024 Archiving and Preservation Fellow with Cashion Cutural Legacy. Read more about the Fellowships here. This is the fourth and final part of Lacy’s blog. Read the third part here.

Final Thoughts

Cashion Cultural Legacy Artistic Director Samuel Cortez and 2024 Fellow Lacy Molina

As my summer Fellowship draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude for this incredible opportunity. I’ve learned that digital archiving is not just about preserving records, but about preserving stories and emotions. Cashion Cultural Legacy’s archives are a treasure trove of human expression, and I am honored to have played a role in preserving them.

One of the most rewarding moments came from organizing recordings from Cashion’s earlier years. I was able to find photos and videos of current Cashion staff, who have aged like fine wine. Additionally, I was able to see rehearsal videos with the organization’s founder – Susan Cashion. These recordings are pieces of art that contribute to the storytelling of each performance as well as the history of the organization. It was truly remarkable to contribute to the safekeeping of these artifacts.

Furthermore, this experience has allowed me to self-reflect and see how my work fits into the larger narratives of dance history and digital archiving. It has been a journey into the heart of Cashion’s vibrant art form. Moreover, this experience allowed me to preserve the artistic legacies of Cashion’s community. This Fellowship has deepened my love for both dance and archiving. I am excited to continue exploring the intersection of these fields and to contribute to preserving the rich cultural heritage of dance.

2024 Fellowship Cohort

As I move forward in my career, I will carry the lessons and experiences from this summer with me, always striving to keep the spirit of dance alive in digital archives. I hope that this glimpse into my Fellowship experience with Cashion Cultural Legacy, made possible through Dance/USA’s Archiving and Preservation Fellowship Program, has inspired you to explore the fascinating world of archiving and the vibrant history of dance in your community or a community of interest.

Thank you to the staff at Cashion Cultural Legacy for this unforgettable opportunity. It has been an honor to play a small part in preserving the history of such a remarkable dance organization. Special shoutout to my archivist mentor, Angel Diaz. And thank you to Hallie Chametzky with Dance/USA for your kindness, support, and guidance.

Header image: “1976 Mextizol – Prehispanic.” Unknown photographer. Mextizol was the creation of Los Lupeños co-founders Susan Cashion and Ramón Morones. This “choreodrama” which told the story of the mestizo culture debuted in the mid-1970s and toured in a number of iterations in the southwestern states. Courtesy of Cashion Cultural Legacy.

All other photos courtesy of the author.

Image description: A woman with dark long hair crossing her arms, leaning against a wall, and smiling slightly.

Lacy Molina-Lyon is a doctoral student and research assistant at the College of Information at the University of North Texas. Her research examines information organization in archival records and ethical metadata. Lacy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in history. Her love for research, archives, history, and libraries motivated her to pursue a doctorate. Under the direction of Dr. Oksana Zavalina, Lacy is working on her dissertation which seeks to understand applied ethical themes within community oral histories records. As a first-generation college student, Lacy is determined to show other Latinas that it is possible for them to earn advanced graduate degrees. Lacy is also a certified 7th-12th grade English, Language Arts, and Reading teacher and School Librarian in the state of Texas. She is a proud supporter of galleries, libraries, archives, and museums.

Photo credit: Esther Mary Photography