Use tableware from the Common Ground installation and connect with fellow diners as you explore the enduring power of solidarity, allyship, connection, and collective action in Los Angeles. As its title suggests, Common Ground is a community-activated artwork that celebrates American pluralism while also fostering human connection through shared meals and other collaborative gatherings.

The evening will feature remarks from Joumana Silyan-Saba, Director of Civic Participation and Human Rights for the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department for the City of Los Angeles, artist Adam Silverman, and music and spoken word poetry from DJ and artist Austin Antoine.

Los Angeles–based artist Adam Silverman collected clay, water, and wood ash from all fifty American states, Washington, DC, and the five inhabited US Territories and combined them to create a set of tableware and ceremonial pots. The resulting 224 ceramic objects, titled Common Ground, is a community-activated artwork that celebrates American pluralism while also fostering human connection through shared meals and collaborative installations.

Lox Hush Puppies
Cajun-Spiced Deviled Eggs (Vg) (GF) (DF)

Turkey Neck Matzo Ball Soup

Pear and Pecan Mixed Green Salad with Cider Vinaigrette (V)
Blackened Salmon with a Pomegranate Salsa
Smoked and Roasted Brisket with Caramelized Onion and Carrots
Kosher Collards (V)
Hoppin' John (Black-Eyed Peas, Rice, and Veggies) (V)

Date and Sweet Potato Casserole (Vg)

Joumana Silyan-Saba is the Director of Civic Participation and Human Rights for the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights). Joumana is an accomplished public leader, with a career in public service spanning eighteen years of experience in non-profit, city government, and academia. With a sense of optimism, Joumana is committed to diplomacy, inclusion, and bringing about social change to expand equity and inclusion.  Through her extensive work in intergroup relations, religious pluralism, and social integration she has fostered long-standing relationships with leaders in community based organizations, academia, public agencies and the private sector.

In her role at LA Civil Rights, Joumana is instituting the discrimination enforcement operation aimed at implementing the LA Civil Rights Law. She previously led efforts in Mayor Garcetti’s Office for Public Safety and served as a Senior Policy Analyst for the City of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, where she led city-wide multi-faith engagements and advocated to advance various social justice policies.

Austin Antoine is a performance artist that blends music and poetry. All of his passions effortlessly mix with abilities that span from singing soulful solos to conquering an opposing rapper in a contest of improvised wit.

After graduating California Institute of the Arts in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program for theater, Austin has sustained artistic success through touring performances, musical collaborations, and hosting creative workshops. His work can be seen with NBA 2k, Viacom CBS, Sofar Sounds, Guinness Book of World Records, and in the 2021 film Summertime, directed by Carlos López Estrada.

Austin is currently the Head of the Music Department at the Los Angeles-based non-profit, Get Lit. Get Lit ignites student engagement, literacy, and young voices around the globe using the power of Spoken Word, technology, and community.

His latest EP, The Rest is History, is available on all streaming platforms.

For more on Common Ground and artist Adam Silverman, click here.