Art of the Community

Thirty-five people gathered in the Erie Art Museum Annex on October 12 for a day of learning and brainstorming. “The Art of Community: Building an Arts and Culture Support Network for Newcomers” was co-sponsored by the International Institute, the Hispanic American Council, and the Museum to bring together a diverse group of artists, social workers, and educators. Amy Skillman of the Institute for Cultural Partnerships in Harrisburg and Laura Marcus, an independent folklorist from Santa Fe, New Mexico, led the workshop.

Participants learned of sewing circles in Portland that brought together women from Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe and of a storytelling gathering in Harrisburg of new immigrants and refugees who then created a museum exhibit of their collective experiences. Local newcomer artists Barnabas Agor, Raisa Lisichenko, Mensura Berberovic, Dmitri Tudorache, Yolanda Lorya, Philip Ajak Malual and Esther Hong each gave short presentations of their craft, story, or song tradition. The participants adjourned energized and with some concrete ideas of how they might utilize the talents of Erie’s newest residents in the future. This workshop was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Douglas Bennett fund of the Erie Community Foundation, and Erie Insurance.

Contact Museum Folk Art Coordinator, Kelly Armor for more information.