HOLLAND, Mich. (AP) - The Holland Museum is embarking on an oral history project designed to capture the stories of Hispanic immigrants to the community in a new exhibit curated by area students.
“Documented: The Stories of Latin@s in Holland” was created by six teens in the Museum Youth Leadership Advisory Council.
The use of the word “Latin@” is an inclusive one used throughout the exhibit, and denotes both male and female individuals of Latin culture by replacing “Latina” or “Latino,” The Holland Sentinel (https://bit.ly/1VXdWYF ) reported.
“’Documented’ is part exhibit, part active oral history lab,” Connie Locker, director of education and community outreach at the Holland Museum, said in a statement. “We see this exhibit not only as an opportunity to share the stories we already have, but also as a space to invite everyone from the Latin@ community in to contribute their own stories and continue the conversation.”
The exhibit features segments of interviews - in both English and Spanish - with community members: Jose Reye, owner of Fat Burrito; Victor Perez, West Ottawa High School teacher; Gabriela Croese, a Spanish interpreter at Spectrum Health; Blanca Gutierrez of Heinz USA and Lena Del Real, executive director of Latin Americans United for Progress.
Each responded to a number of questions for the exhibit, including “how has your life changed since you moved to Holland?” and “have you ever experienced discrimination or stereotyping?”
The exhibit will allow visitors to interact and respond to statements with their own experiences as well.
Among the students involved in curating the project are West Ottawa High School students Deziray Martinez and Nabil Gutierrez, Holland New Tech High School student Anastasia Schutte and Black River Public School student Isabel Thompson.
“It is the role of the community’s museum to tell the stories of its residents - past, present and future,” Chris Shires, executive director of the Holland Museum, said in a statement. “We are honored the individuals featured in ’Documented’ entrusted their stories with us and our MYLAC students. As the museum provides a space for diversity to be valued and recognized, we look forward to the interactive portion of the exhibit to perpetuate trust, inclusivity and change in the Holland community.”
Individuals interested in being interviewed as a part of the oral history project should call the Holland Museum to make an appointment.
The museum is located at 31 W. 10th St. in Holland. The “Documented” exhibit runs through October.
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Information from: The Holland Sentinel, https://www.thehollandsentinel.com
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