Created by VISIBLE Collective/Donna Golden and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students who took part in the Tenement Museum’s Shared Journeys workshops, Above Ground uses photography, text, and video to explore the responses of immigrants to their communities.

As part of the creative process for the installation, students were encouraged to write about what they would like to change about their situation as immigrants and to photograph their neighborhoods - with a focus on the people, places, and objects that symbolize or remind them of their immigrant experience here in the United States.

Above Ground encouraged participants to explore their immigrant experiences as part of larger social and political movements and to consider their own capacities for critical reflection and action. The upper two windows will display photos and writings developed by workshop participants. The lower two windows will present a video timeline of immigrant history, legislation, and activism.

Free		June 26, 2006 – December 1, 2006 Opening Reception: Thursday, June 29, 6 – 8pm

FREE Art Drop-In! Layering the Lower East Side
Saturday, September 16, 12 noon – 4 PM at 97 Orchard Street

Bring your family and piece together collages of the Lower East Side, layering images and words with your own perspectives on diversity and immigration. Take some time to experience an art technique the artists of ABOVE GROUND used in developing their installation, and create a unique piece of artwork each of you can take home.