“New Roots”

Howard Area Community Center, Rogers Park, Chicago

In the fall of 2019 I was invited to paint a mural in the lobby of Howard Area Community Center with a design inspired by the stories of the refugee and immigrant woman they work with. After two art making/ listening sessions with some of their students the “New Roots” mural came to life in the spring of 2020. These images narrate some of the themes I hear from these women including; journey, separation, loss, spiritual guidance, new homes, growth, education and most importantly finding support and community at Howard Area. Something a heard over and over was a deep appreciation for this organization and how many of their students were able to thrive through the support and education that Howard Area offers.

“New Roots” includes images of seed saving, travel from around the world, migration, germination of seeds, tending to small plants, growth, classroom education, peer to peer support, and eventually harvest, celebration, and community. I wanted to emphasize here that there is life before big changes and there is life after. Our journeys are cyclical like the seasons.