Cultural Engagement through Artist Action and Collaboration with the Community

As stated in our proposal, much of the work and success of this project will be realized in qualitative terms. This effort has been a means to re-engage the hundreds of participants and collaborators in our network of artists and those working on housing and economic justice in our constituencies. We found that using an artist-in-residence model for engaging community in art-making and accessing the arts works much better than trying to administer a group of artists to organize the space.
Basic, main goals this project realized in our artist in residence project are that it:allowed us to create arts experiences that give people pride in their community. reach participants who normally do not participate in the artsGive participants an arts experience that they wanted but is not typically available to them.We enlisted multidisciplinary artists Sebastian Rivera Cintron. His work began with an extensive period of one-on-one engagements with ESFL staff and community members This initial phase laid a strong foundation for the collaborative work that followed.Sebastian engaged in a series of public projects that enlisted the talents of interns, community members and other established artists who work in the community but also a multitude of community-driven art activities, leaving an indelible mark on our vibrant East Side neighborhood. One noteworthy initiative was the Make Your Own Pinstation, a creative hub where community members were encouraged to translate their ideas into wearable pins through drawing, printing, or painting. Moreover, we provided communal art tables stocked with diverse sets of supplies, inspiring community members to experiment with mixed-media art. In all instances, participants were warmly invited to take their creations home, fostering a sense of artistic empowerment within our community.A pivotal event was the international pop-up art exhibit, co-curated with Anton Vazquez, an indigenous artist from Chiapas, Mexico. The exhibit showcased Vazquez's powerful artwork and offered a unique opportunity where Sebastian led an interview, bridging language barriers to explore indigenous identity within art. This event underscored our commitment to fostering global connections and promoting cultural exchange.Collaborating closely with our art intern, we crafted two large interactive wooden murals, each symbolizing the principles of security and liberty the bedrock of our night out event. These dynamic, movable artworks not only added a visually striking dimension to our events but also served as powerful symbols of our commitment to community ideals.Sebastian also designed and hand-painted three promotional posters for ESFL's Music between the Stacksseries. These posters were meticulously created in watercolor, gouache, and ink, and then digitally formatted for public production. These artworks not only captured the essence of the musical performances but also contributed to the overall ambiance of our library.The residency forged lasting connections, celebrated art in its many forms, and laid the groundwork for a more vibrant and inclusive future. The residency was an enriching chapter in the artistic journey for Sebastian.
The addition of Sebastian Rivera Cintron helped us improve an already rich arts aesthetic at the East Side Freedom Library. It increased the number of assets in our collection of art artifacts. It also engaged community in a way that showed a little more of the asset they have in their own neighborhood or realm of operation. This work also helped us reflect the mission and ethos of our organization in unique ways.
Events include:
* Fireside Chat with Librarians
* Read to the Max read-a-thon and readings
* Beyond Banned Books panel discussion
* Roller skating party
* Music Between the Stacks series
* Poetry reading and teach-in
* mural making
* more