Phase Three: Colorado, New Hampshire, North Carolina

As part of Phase 3 of the"Familias Separadas" public art project, we are unveiling a series of large-scale public art installations in North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Colorado. The public art installations visualizes the testimonials of community members that have experienced detention, are in sanctuary, or have experienced family separation or deportation. Each installation site was chosen to call attention to nearby detention centers: Wake County Detention Center, Strafford Detention Center, and Aurora Detention Center, and highlight that our unjust immigration policies do not begin at the border, they spread throughout our nation.

Throughout the year, community members in North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Colorado engaged in several virtual meetings that included story circles, theatre and playwriting techniques, photography, and visual art sessions focused on healing from past trauma caused by our broken immigration system.

The project’s Creative Team led by Michelle Angela Ortiz includes Project Manager Salina Almanzar, Playwright Paul Flores, Lorena, Peter Marin (NC), Grace Kindeke (NH), and Jonathan DeCamps (CO). MomsRising/ MamasConPoder was the national connector to the project’s local community partners that include Diamante Arts and Cultural Center, American Friends Service Committee New Hampshire, and Sanctuary for All.

In June 2021, a series of large-scale site-specific public art installations were unveiled at Artspace in North Carolina, Dover Friends Meeting House in New Hampshire, and Redline Contemporary Art Center in Colorado. The eight public artworks, designed by Ortiz, visualize the testimonials of community members that have experienced detention, are in sanctuary or have experienced family separation or deportation. Each installation site was chosen to call attention to nearby detention centers: Wake County Detention Center, Strafford Detention Center, and Aurora Detention Center.

Each public artwork contains a QR code for viewers to read and hear the stories told first hand and filmed by the community participants. The stories, photographs, and writings can be found below.

Funding for the project is provided by the Art for Justice Fund and in part by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation.

DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Mark is an African immigrant who was detained for two years in the United States. He was targeted in his home country due to his participation in peaceful protests demanding positive change in his community. He speaks to the challenges of when he was incarcerated and the impact it has on his family.

Listen to Mark's Story

G is an African immigrant who was detained at the border between Mexico and the United States. He describes his journey, not knowing where he was or how to communicate. He speaks to the challenges of learning Spanish and English and the bonds forged in-spite of language barriers.

Listen to G's Story

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

Angelica Davila worked with her family in farms and then became a Mechanical Engineer for Duke Energy. In 2011, Angelica’s brother was detained when he went to pay a traffic ticket. He was held in detention at Cary Prison where he would be transferred to another detention center. Angelica shares her family’s fight to stop the possible deportation of her brother to Mexico. “We are the pillars of our family...” shares Angelica. She and her brother are both DACA recipients and spent the majority of their lives in the United States.

Listen to Angelica's Story

Carmen Rodriguez Rios is originally from Oaxaca, Mexico. Carmen is a mom and activist in her Raleigh community. On October 29, 2015, Carmen made a civil disobedience against the then governor of North Carolina, Pat McCrory, because he had just signed an anti-immigrant bill, HB 318. Carmen coordinates meals every Sunday to raise funds for undocumented families who are most in need. As a participant in the project, Carmen shared her story and firmly believes that "A movement would be useless if we don't get involved."

Listen to Carmen's Story

Oscar Menendez Serrano is from El Salvador and immigrated to North Carolina 14 years ago. He remembers being in chains on a bus to Atlanta and the trauma of being detained. Oscar believes in the importance of being prepared and having the support of the community when faced with the threat of deportation. He works in construction and performs as Gaga L’Draga, his drag persona. Oscar shares, “When I am in drag, I feel free.”

Listen to Oscar's Story

DENVER, COLORADO

Jeanette Vizguerra is a local and national community leader and lives in Denver, Colorado. Jeanette is the founder of four organizations including Sanctuary for All. In 2017, she was named one of the most influential people in the world in Time Magazine. Jeanette shares her story of returning to Mexico to be by her mother's side in her last days. With the moonlight lighting her way, Jeanette returned to Denver to join her children. She has been in sanctuary for two years fighting her deportation.

Listen to Jeanette's Story

Ingrid Encalada is from Peru and has been living in Colorado since 2000. She immigrated for a better future. She shared that the instability of the immigration system, the misrepresentation of lawyers, and not knowing her rights as an immigrant in this country continues to affect her economically and emotionally. In 2019, she gave birth to her daughter while she was in sanctuary at Boulder Universal Unitarian Church. That same year, for Christmas, the Governor of Colorado granted a pardon that cleared her criminal record thanks to her campaign "No Mas Chuecos". Her campaign educates the immigrant community how to get an identification. Since 2017, she has been in sanctuary with her three children in the Universal Unitarian Church of Boulder. Ingrid continues to be involved in various organizations and is working for changes in the Legislation.

Listen to Ingrid's Story

Ginny Calderon is a single mother of two children who are U.S. citizens. Ginny has worked in the service industry for more than 13 years. Her husband was detained and was denied medical attention at the Aurora Detention Center. He was forced to sign his “voluntary departure” and was deported three years ago. Ginny shares the challenges of balancing work and staying present for her children who remain traumatized by this experience. She continues to push through for her children and advocate for other undocumented families.

Listen to Ginny's Story