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This collection of collaborative portraits, including poetry by participants and photography by Brigid McAuliffe, features people from 38 different countries, living in Fort Collins. It highlights the diverse fabric of Northern Colorado, including new arrivals & long-time community members. The goal is to celebrate the diversity present in Fort Collins that is often not realized on the surface. Our city is enriched by an incredible variety of backgrounds and this exhibit brings together people from across the globe who contribute to the vibrancy of our community. The various shades of blues, greens, and browns in the backgrounds represent the way we move through the world, traversing land, sky and water.

 

The portraits include poetry written by each person, reflecting on their origins & the moments that have shaped their lives. Participants were invited to use a writing exercise, inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem “Where I’m From.” Some used this as a starting point, and some wrote their whole poem using the prompts. This exercise helps to access feelings, memories, and senses, when answering the common question immigrants are often asked, “Where are you from?” The resulting 38 poems express the beauty in what makes us all different, while also recognizing the values we all share regardless of our backgrounds.

 

 

Click on each portrait to read the full poems, translations and bios.

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Listen to some participants reading their poem by clicking here. 

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If you are interested in a tax deductible donation to support future programming, please scroll to bottom.

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