Lighting the Way: South Asian Voices in Art, Nature, and Justice

When:
Thursday, October 30, 2025 · 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Doors open at 5:30 PM for viewing of the panelists’ art.
Panel discussion begins at 6:00 PM and concludes at 7:30 PM.

Where:
Crissy Field Center Gathering Room
San Francisco, CA

Event Description:
Join park staff for an evening of storytelling and dialogue at the Tunnel Tops to celebrate and amplify South Asian community leaders whose work bridges art, environment, and social justice.

Through the metaphors of light and darkness—echoing the spirit of Diwali, the festival of lights—panelists will share how they create spaces of curiosity, belonging, and hope. From photography to public design, each artist’s work illuminates new pathways for connection between people and the planet.

The discussion will be moderated by Yakuta Poonawalla, with support from Rebekah Berkov.

Panelists & Artists:
✨ Barnali Ghosh — Immigrant artist, landscape architect, and co-founder of the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour. Known for her viral photo series reimagining California native flowers through South Asian textiles and dance forms, Barnali’s work explores identity, belonging, and community in nature.
Instagram: @berkeleywali | @berkeleysouthasian

✨ Vishal Subramanyan — Award-winning wildlife photographer, videographer, and National Geographic Young Explorer. A storyteller whose work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN, NPR, Smithsonian, and the LA Times, Vishal’s imagery connects audiences to wildlife and conservation in California and beyond.

Admission:
Free and family-friendly. Registration is required.

Presented by:
National Park Service – Golden Gate National Recreation Area
In partnership with Crissy Field Center and Tunnel Tops Community Programs.