Delawareans with Latino roots to take stage

Posted by Press Release on March 27, 2016

In celebration of the exhibition "Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art," the Delaware Art Museum is hosting "My America, My Journey."

This powerful storytelling performance on Thursday, March 31, will feature seven Delawareans with roots in Latin America, including Wilmington City Councilwoman Maria Cabrera, who will share their experiences and personal stories of migration, family, community, identity, and culture. "My America, My Journey" is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event will begin at 6:15 p.m, according to a museum press release.

"In working with each storyteller to develop their narrative, I'm amazed by each person's varied background and perspective," director Danny Peak said in the release. "Each person has roots in a different country or a different career; some are first generation immigrants while others have families who emigrated to the states to provide them with opportunity. No matter how dire their circumstance, they are resilient and positively driven to succeed. It's incredible how their journeys have opened them up to other people."

Storytelling is an emotionally powerful tool for connecting people to art and is a fundamental theme throughout the museum's collection and "Our America." Using themes within the exhibition as inspiration, the storytellers will present various stories ranging from bicultural experiences and identity to civil rights, displacement, hope, and migration.

"This project could not come at a better time. Stereotypes about Latinos are being propagated in the media and in the political arena," says storyteller Laura Adarve. "But if you want to hear the truth about Latinos, hear it from us. We live it, we know it, and we want to share our stories. We are all different, but are somehow the same."

The "My America, My Journey" storytellers include Laura Adarve, Iz Balleto, Maria Cabrera, LaLo, India Saria Colon, Mario Corea, and Vanesa Simon. The program is moderated and directed by Peak with music by Jonathan Whitney from the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. The museum hopes to continue sharing the stories, histories, and voices of the community with story-based programs like "My America, My Journey."

The museum is open late every Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with free general admission. Special events and programs for all ages are offered on select nights throughout the year. For a full schedule of events and programs, visit delart.org.

"Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art" is on view through May 29. It features the rich and varied contributions of Latino artists in the United States since the mid-20th century. The show highlights the collection of modern and contemporary Latino art from the Smithsonian American Art Museum and presents a picture of an evolving national culture that challenges expectations of what is meant by "American" and "Latino."