Kelly Pack

“Throughout this school year, I’ve witnessed the path to American citizenship become increasingly violent and uncertain for my students, their families, my neighbors, and my friends. As a teacher, I feel the stress and fear my students carry, and I often find I have limited options to offer meaningful support and guidance to them and their families. As an artist, I wanted to contracts the tenderness of my tearful students with the brutishness of those actively separating families. I may not be able to change legislation or the hearts of those with whom I disagree, but I can bring attention to the people who need to be cared for. As helpless as I sometimes feel, I believe in our collective capacity to work together with empathy and purpose to create an America where every voice is valued and respected.”