HeartSpeaks: Voices of Cultura Writing Circles

Project implementation was originally planned for the Summer/Fall of 2022 and the Spring/Summer 2023. Due to the timeline of funds, allocation of outdoor events has been scheduled for Spring/Summer 2023 with a Winter event being planned for 2/11/2023.; HeartSpeaks: Voices of Culture Writing Circles began as a bearing witness to the acknowledgment, validation and pride of LatinX, BIPOC communities. As a child I had very few opportunities to see myself reflected and now I can see myself and other BIPOC people reflected in many murals in our communities. Being raised in a rural town with only two other Mexican families I had little representation in media, print, art, educational resources. The Voices of Culture Writing Circles has created spaces for our communities seeing and feeling a sense of belonging. The original project was 2-3 large community circles. As the grant timing shifted my original plan shifted to later in the grant cycle and with that change, I added on 2 additional small circles; to include Interactive Community Coloring Spaces. Four mural/cultural artist were highlighted with a writing circle conversation. Artist were generous with their time and well received by participants. The discussions of dreams/ideas/techniques intrigued writers with deeply moving writing responses. The murals facilitated discussion of connecting to ancestral roots, ceremonies, and culture which were reflected in pubic community murals. The intersections of music, colors, ancestral ceremonial activities brings a deep connection to our communities, The request for continued Voice of Culture Writing Circles with over 6 more requests in schools, women's groups, and youth groups reflects the communities desire to have more opportunities to see their lives reflected in the Community. Multiple community responses were positive and created a deeper sense of art, cultura and respect for our lives within the larger community. Facilitating the stories community members shared, at times for the first time, they continued writing and sharing their writings that often became poems that were shared with the circle participants. Laughter, tears and deep reflection were the light that brought fears to a healing space as at times life direction was strengthened. Multi-generational stories were shared creating bonds of care, and understanding as we see threads that link one to another. Circle participants would often ask, when will we meet again? I have something I want to share." The request for circles are shared in the circle round back, did you experience a newfound awareness? What was celebratory and/or difficult? What feelings do the murals evoke in your life?
The voices of participants carry the lesson of gathering, sharing food, expressing their fears, dreams, and hope for the future, are just a few aspects of Mural reflections.