A SEAT AT THE TABLE. SHADOWS OF RACISM- VOICES UNHEARD: A Collaborative Project with ALPHA Education

The title of the project  was inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem “I Too”  and the lines: 

I am the darker brother. 

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table. 

                               Langston Hughes  1926

In this project, Grade 9-12 students were invited to bring a guest to a table of diverse voices and consider the qualities in the guest that resonated personally for them.

The table symbolizes togetherness, a place for rituals that celebrate family and community. It's a place of advocacy where each person "at the table" gets the same opportunities as everyone else to listen, share, define, and influence without judgment or retribution. 

MAMC and ALPHA Education invited viewers to the exhibition at The Science Centre to enjoy the creativity and inventiveness of each sculptural piece, looking closely at the imaginative way the students have interacted with materials. Students used found objects, wood, wire, photography, drawing, painting, and mixed media techniques to create poetic responses to non-traditional materials in unusual and original ways. 

MAMC’s interaction with students generated individualized responses that became part of a larger whole.

Each table was curated thematically as a dinner conversation. MAMC invited visitors to imagine the many conversations stimulated by extraordinary achievement, social activism, public engagement, and advocacy. The students addressed the issues of today- homelessness, food insecurity, the crisis in health care,  mental health, loss, family reunification, and personal triumph. 

WORK & PROCESS

Making Art Making Change is a non-profit charity committed to giving voice to individuals in a group setting within communities through the use of visual arts.

Our experienced artist educators are committed to creating a safe space and engaging projects where participants can explore artistic expression while developing self-awareness, collaboration skills and original creative thinking. Our focus is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, thereby strengthening community bonds and reducing isolation.

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