Literacy and Community Initiative’s Fourth Annual Reading Celebration Highlights Artwork and Writing for the First Time

Youth from Refugee Hope Partners and Juntos will read their written narratives from two newly released books – Brave Histories and Hopeful Futures, Vol. 2: Voices of a Refugee Community and The Realities of Our World: Las Realidades de Nuestros Mundos–during the LCI 4th Annual Reading Celebration. When Aaliyah, a student in the CORRAL Riding Academy program for girls in high-risk situations, first started painting for the Literacy and Community Initiative Storytelling Art Show (STARS), she sometimes struggled to focus at school. After participating in expressive art therapy as part of the Literacy and Community Initiative (LCI) partnership with CORRAL and the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA), Aaliyah was able to express her ideas through art while also writing to reflect and explain the motivation behind her creation. CORRAL student Aaliyah's piece, “Spaced Out”, was featured at the Storytelling Art Show at the NCMA in March. “When I made this painting, I was inspired by how spaced out I had been,” said Aaliyah in her artist statement. “As soon as I was told about us doing this awesome activity, I instantly knew I wanted to do something to do with space in it…now thinking about it, being spaced out is my weakness and strength. It is my weakness because it makes it hard to focus in school but it is also my strength because it helps me dream bigger than I already do and it helps me look forward to my future, especially with CORRAL's help.” Aaliyah is one of the CORRAL artists who will be featured at LCI's Fourth Annual Reading Celebration May 2, when youth from CORRAL and two other LCI partner organizations, Refugee Hope Partners (RHP) and Juntos , will read their written narratives from two newly released books, showcase their artwork and answer questions on their personal journeys. The event will also feature an open art gallery after the readings. LCI is a collaboration between the NC State College of Education and the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation that partners with community-based organizations to examine, support and promote the power of youth voices. LCI's […]