News
Xochi Maberry-Gaulke ‘06
Xochi Maberry-Gaulke ‘06, artist, jewelry designer, and twin, shares her artistic inspirations, memories of The Center, and life post-CEE. When she’s not working at The Broad, Xochi uses a diverse set of materials in her art and jewelry to reflect the complexities of living in Los Angeles. We sat down with Xochi to connect about her experiences at CEE and beyond.
Q: What have you been up to since CEE? Memorable moments?
A: My sister Marka ‘06 and I went to Harvard-Westlake, and in about 10th grade after being with a lot of the same people for many years, I realized I needed a change. I was thinking about what I could do, and that was around the time that Semester Schools started visiting our school. When Chewonki Semester School, now called Maine Coast Semester, visited HW, something inside of me clicked so immediately, something I have never experienced before. At Chewonki, I connected with myself through environmental science and through everyone else who was also so excited to be there. Relocating to an intentional living community in rural New England grounded me in a way that Los Angeles never could. I still get emotional to this day thinking about it. It was a transformative period of my life that helped spark and reinforce this creative and self-confident side of me.
Q: You work as a jewelry designer, playing with interdisciplinary ideas in your work. Can you talk more about that?
A: I went to the Evergreen State College, where every class is an interdisciplinary full-time program. They are taught by art and science teachers, or math and English teachers, for example. It’s this really beautiful place where disciplines and communities come together to collaborate. I became really inspired by Evergreen’s sense of cross-pollination, so to speak. In my work, I bring together disparate or conflicting things inspired by my upbringing in LA and in rural Maine. An example would be the urban glitz of Hollywood contrasting with this earthier geologic side, wanting to reuse materials and create less waste while still indulging in materialism. I use glitter, which is problematic and harmful to the environment (it’s a relationship I’m not ready to end!!), combine it with seed pods I found in my neighborhood to embody a playful example of what it means to be a human in LA. My earrings are made out of found, repurposed, reused, and reimagined materials. Each one is unique and playful and freaky. When I was in grad school at Otis College, a lot of my art was focused on indulging in body hair as a woman, but also indulging in vanity. The mixed media pieces I created were made of repurposed and collected materials like hair and they became a grotesque, proud, and somehow gentle expression of femininity. For me, the work I created in grad school and the earrings I make are really similar in their connection to material and indulgence.
Q: Did you always have such a focus on diversity and inclusion, or did it take time to get there?
A: Having two moms, I knew my family situation was different. But at The Center, it was a very intentional and inclusive environment. When I started at the Center, I became best friends with Anjoum Agrama, who also has two moms, and growing up with her having a similar family was great. The Center helped give me confidence in that way.
Q: Did you have one special moment of your time at CEE that you still remember?
A: I remember the Gingerbread house making in the winter time, and loving it so much. I was so excited when I was a 6th grader, getting to be the big kid and helping the kindergarteners. I remember a lot of food stuff for some reason, like the International Food Tasting Day, and having lunch with friends, eating and having a good time. I also felt really lucky at The Center because my grade was the first grade that got three full years in what used to be considered “The New Building” (Now Building C). We were the first class to go all the way through, which was very exciting for us to take on this new building and be the big kids on campus. When Marka, Anjoum and I visited recently to say goodbye to Building B, it was really nice to see some of my old teachers who are still working there today. Of course I remembered them, and was so humbled when they remembered us! The sense of community is so strong at CEE and that’s something that will always stick with me.
Q: Do you have any words of advice for current students who might have a “nontraditional” background at CEE?
A: What you have is very unique, and there are people who love you for that. CEE is a safe place that supports you and your journey. You have friends who care a lot about you regardless of your “nontraditional” background, and seek support if you need it.Check Xochi out on Instagram: @XMGEarrings!
The Center for Early Education, a socio-economically and culturally diverse independent school for children, toddlers through grade six, strives to graduate students who are joyful, resilient, lifelong learners. The Center embraces a philosophy of education that combines a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with an increasingly challenging academic program that addresses the developmental needs of each child.