PORTLAND, MAINE | Seeds of Peace has continued it’s It Starts with ME storytelling project with the Maine College of Art. Fifteen Maine Seeds have spent the last few months creating sound slides that pair photos with audio recordings at the College and the Portland Public Library.
Four groups of students interviewed their family, friends, and community members about four themes: “Who am I”, “How America Defines Me”, “Two Faces and Two Stories”, and “How Immigrant Parents influence their children.”
Joel Tsui, a student at the Maine College of Art, taught the Seeds photography and audio recording and editing skills in order to capture and share their complex identities on topics such as the influence of immigrant parents on their children.
“Through photographs and the interviewees’ narration, students are able to capture complex identities in a vibrant way, while learning the importance of various roles in production, teamwork and documentary skills,” said Tsui.
Seeds of Peace’s partnership with the Maine College of Art began in 2014 and emerges out of a belief that story-telling is an important agent of change.
“The energy and passion this group of Seeds students brings to this year’s project is impressive,” said Project Coordinator Abi Maycock. “They are motivated to use this project to combat racism and ignorance in Maine schools and communities. The link between art and social change is evident and both MECA and Seeds feels invested as we move towards a final product.”
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