By Tyler French | Innovation and Partnerships Director
As we move into our school programs and residencies this school year, we are starting to hear common themes emerge from our conversations with students, conversations started and nourished by our arts-integrated lessons and toolbox found in the virtual classroom materials.
The students we engage are trying to find belonging in their schools and communities, to address injustices, and to develop their voices to speak their stories and make sure they are heard. Through our residencies we witness students developing their capacities to find their authentic voice and using those voices in all of their classes. Story Tapestries gives educators the tools to more fully engage students, through the virtual classroom and in-school residencies. These tools help educators help their students empower them to speak louder, to ensure they are heard and that we listen. We help amplify students' own voices, voices that are completely theirs and only needed time with our artists to start to grow. We could not do this work and reach these students without your support.
Recently, Karina, an 8th grade student who has engaged in multiple Story Tapestries in-school residencies and programs, read a poem to open the Montgomery County Council Session that commemorated the 400th anniversary of slavery in the United States. She stepped up to the mic filled with nerves, but her poem transformed the room. She is beginning to see the power her voice has. Even though the moment was acknowledging a terrible travesty in our country’s history, and her poem does not flinch away from that, she concluded with so much hope and resolve that showed a single poem can rally us to make a difference.
Click here to hear her poem: Karina Performing For the Montgomery County Council on Tuesday, September 10th, 2019.
Encounter first hand the power of our collective human voice at the 2019-20 opening performance of Amplify US! at the Strathmore Mansion on October 5th at 7 pm. In this event, Story Tapestries in collaboration with Arts on the Block and Impact Silver Spring work together with the support of Strathmore to unite the voices of the past with those of our future in a dynamic performance and community dialogue. Come and experience moving stories from our community, listen and connect with those around you, and find the power of your voice. Karina along with a slate of incredible poets and storytellers will be performing. You can join the conversation by reserving your ticket here - Amplify US! Eventbrite. If you are local, we hope to see you there!
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