Arts advocate and community activist Laura Patricia Calle has died

? Laura Patricia Calle, the programming director for Living Walls who also worked in community programming at the Center for Civic Innovation, has died. Calle was a regular and positive presence in Atlanta’s art scene. Among many many other things, she helped plan CL’s Nov. 12 collaboration with CCI, the public conversation “Condos over Culture” about the arts’ role in Atlanta’s future. Online queer culture publication Wussy Mag has posted a heartfelt tribute. 
?
? Calle was 26. 
?
? In a phone call this morning, Living Walls co-founder and executive director Monica Campana talked about the strength and resilience of Calle, who had been combatting kidney disease. Campana pointed to a Nov. 11 Facebook post by Calle, which Campana says, “Everyone in the world should read because it’s so inspirational.”
?
? ?? Being tested so much. Thinking of what makes one strong or resilient is not a straight forward cause and action analysis. I somehow have built pathways in my brain that do not allow me to give in to challenges and internal weaknesses that try to mock the many experiences I’ve had during this short life that have brought me here. But somedays, the weight of the world and the only certain event in life, which is uncertainty, tests every fiber of strength. So when this happens I let it all out. Then I find myself laughing at life, but that weight does not go away; it is stored so next time I am tested, I am reminded that I can get through it, cause I have been through it and came out valiantly, always pushing out negativity so as to not forget the brightness that lives in this chaotic body.  ??
? We’ll update with information about a memorial as it becomes available.
?
?UPDATE 6:23 P.M.: Funeral information, per Wussy Mag:
??? Laura Patricia Calle’s funeral will be held Saturday, 11 a.m. at St Jude’s Catholic Church (7171 Glenridge Drive Atlanta, Ga 30328). There will be a ceremony followed by a reception. Her family has requested that any photos and videos of her be emailed to her surviving sister Valentina, Valentinacalle at gmail.com.  
?