Museo Eduardo Carrillo long admired the work of the Young Writers Program. We thought that creating a partnership with them would enhance our mutual objectives to bring Latino art to students and stimulate the teen’s connection to the art and themselves through the YWP immersive writing program. The books featured here and at YWP share portions of those poignant, sometimes amusing and very real personal teen narratives.
The Hablamos Juntos project is a unique opportunity to bring contemporary Latino art to young people who may know little about it. Engaging youth, particularly Latino and immigrant youth, in looking at and interpreting this art gives insight into cultural material that is in some way familiar to them.
Seeing Latino images that deal with personal themes, issues of immigration and labor, as well as memories of community life, opens the door for youth to reflect on their own lives.
—Dr. Amalia Mesa-Bains, Professor Emerita at California State University Monterey Bay
Narratives on life by E.A. Hall Middle School students, inspired by Latinx Art curated by Museo Eduardo Carrillo.
“We can appreciate the value of bringing all voices to the table and listening to each other’s narraties for therein lies the capacity to form kinship and community.”
—Dianna Marisol Santillan, art historian and Cal State LA lecturer
“By learning the power of sharing, being part of a larger commuity, and having an important role to play, students find courage, creativity, and communication skills to continue to weave together a strong and vibrant society.”
—Dr. Faris M. Sabbah, Superintendent of Schools, Santa Cruz County
Narratives on life by Costanoa High School students inspired by artwork curated by Museo Eduardo Carrillo.
“Visual art is the language of joy, laughter, hardship, social injustice, and sorrow. It immortalizes moments that reach our soul and and mind without making a sound.”
—Fe Silva, Program Director and School Coordinator