… when the Building Narratives class took place, and so many people in and around Esparto participated? Well, the book that documents that experience is still in progress, but here are a few of the student projects that came out of it:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO: Zumba Dancing at the Depot!
Maria Robles and Thanya Oliveira
Taking Zumba classes in Esparto was part of Gigi Otalvaro-Hormillosa’s work as a student in CCA’s ENGAGE Building Narratives: Installations for Transitional Space class during the spring semester of 2012. This performance took place on April 21, 2012 in the Esparto depot, at the culmination of the class – an afternoon of installations, performances, interactions and readings. The names of these fantastic dancers are: Cheryl Rust, Maria Robles, Thanya Oliveira and Gigi Otalvaro-Hormillosa.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO: Jordan Karnes – Esparto Poetry Reading
Esparto (poem by Jordan Karnes) Image by Melissa Martin and Alexis Petty
Jordan Karnes listened to middle and high school students in Esparto, CA. She honed and crafted their words into this poem, entitled ‘Esparto’. The reading took place during the final exhibition/presentation of works from CCA’s ‘Building Narratives: Installations for Transitional Space’ class on April 21, 2012 at the Esparto depot. Jordan was a student in this class.
MnemicTrain 
To: Maria McVarish
Was your father, Ian McVarish? Wally and I live in Esparto and love watching the Esparto Depot progress by the day. When we were very young, Wally and Jerry Silva worked for Ian McVarish as graphic designers in his design office in downtown Sacramento. Wonderful, creative memories!
Yes! Ian McVarish was my father. How wonderful that you and your husband knew him! I wish he was still alive because he is part of my inspiration behind the renovation of the depot… I just called my mom to read her your note. She has a portrait of Jerry Silva in her house, inherited from my dad. Thank you for your post.
– Maria