During Spring 2017, eighteen Northeast High School students reflected on their immigrant experience through a collaboration with artist Wendy Ewald. The students chose words to represent letters of the alphabet, working with Ewald to create photographs in the school courtyard. Expressed as an alphabet installed around the Municipal Services Building from September 2017 to July 2018, their stories gave insight into the complexities of immigration in America and encouraged civic dialogue and engagement. Currently An Immigrant Alphabet is on its second display in Philadelphia from November 2018 to June 2019 at the newly-opened Cherry Street Pier.
Wendy Ewald
I have created many projects with students from elementary school through college. The projects are designed as interventions as well as artistic projects. Among them are American Alphabets, a series of photo installations made with Arabic, Spanish and English speakers; On Reading, a video installation with learning disabled students, and Who Am I in This Picture, a public art installation with faculty, staff and students at Amherst College.
With each situation, I use different processes and materials to shift my point of view and engage with my subjects. My work may be understood as a kind of conceptual art focused on expanding the role of esthetic discourse in pedagogy and creating a new concept of imagery that challenges the viewer to see beneath the surface of relationships.
This project was done in collaboration with photographer Pete Mauney.
Northeast High School
Northeast High School is the largest and most ethnically diverse public school in Philadelphia where 59 languages are spoken. In eight small learning communities, the school serves over 3,300 students, including 750 in the ESOL program. NEHS not only reflects the rapidly changing community of the Northeast, but is often referred to as a “microcosm” of Philadelphia’s growing diversity.
NEHS Students
Amariah, Aya, Doha, Duveltsanders, Gabriel, Gabrielle, Jenny, Joseph, Kayla, Kazi, Malika, Mariam, Rushana, Salawat, Sebastian, Suellen, Tania, Xuan — their countries of origin span four continents
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is an Arab arts and education organization. “Al-Bustan” (The Garden) promotes cross-cultural understanding among youth and adults of all backgrounds, seeking to build respectful paths for bridging differences, celebrating diversity, and fostering alternative ways of effecting positive social change. Al-Bustan is honored to work with artist Wendy Ewald and Northeast High School students, faculty, and administrators in producing this project.
Graphic Design: Ashley Choukeir
On-site Board Design & Fabrication: Public Workshop
Banner Printing and Installing: Berry & Homer
Ground Labels Printing & Installing: Sign & Design
Supporters
We are grateful for our generous funders who made this project possible:
Knight Cities Challenge — An Initiative of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Barra Foundation
PNC Arts Alive • Philadelphia Foundation
William Penn Foundation
Philadelphia Cultural Fund – Youth Arts Enrichment
The Philadelphia Foundation
Bartol Foundation
Spruce Foundation
Intech Construction
Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation
Individual Donors
Special thanks to our partners:
City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
Office of Immigrant Affairs
Commissioner of Public Property
