“A person will be worth”: Matheson Museum highlights 'refugee settlement in Gainesville' Mini-Exhibit

The Matheson History Museum organized the opening reception for “refugee settlements in Gainesville” on Thursday evening. The mini exhibit underlines the way to resort for six families.

Terrence Ho, a 38-year-old artist and managing director of the Greater Gainesville International Center, turned to the museum to present his works of art that represent refugee trips from their arrival for building a life in Gainesville.

Ho said his close collaboration with refugees after a January programs dissolved by the executive order in January inspired him to share his works of art.

Refugee fights have only become more difficult with the loss of state financing. The order has left programs such as the GGIC without most of their financial support, which will inhibit the aids for their resettlement.

“We don't have the feeling that a refugee has to prove again and again.” Yes, I have a trauma, “said Ho.” You are worth being a person because you are a person. You have already asked for help, so we will help you. “

The drawings are the reflections of the real scenes he saw every day, he said. The exhibition underlines the steps that refugees have to take to integrate into American society, e.g. B. medical demonstrations, interviews and English lessons.

“It is all the different things you have to go through,” said Ho. “It shouldn't be a sobs or a success story or anything.”

His black and-ink-sketch style is loosely inspired by Chinese calligraphy, he said. Each drawing contained a description in which it was shown exactly what had happened when the picture was recorded.

The exhibition can be read in a winding illustration with the sections with the title: preparation, arrival, identification, advantages, recording assembly, health, housing construction, school and English courses, cultural and physical orientation.

Dianne Vinson, a retired teacher who attended the exhibition, found a piece particularly realistic. It looked like a graphic artist, said Vinson.

“There was a wonderful picture that showed that the children are bored during an interview,” she said. “I found that really perfect.”

She said that people have no idea how complicated it is to look for refuge in America. The Americans don't know how happy they are, she said.

The GGIC supports refugees and their families when they settle in a new community. HO is one of two workers who are employed by the organization. The rest of the staff consists of volunteers.

Steve Kishman, a GGIC board member, took part in the opening reception of the exhibition. He worked closely with HO on the resettlement project.

All resettlement programs, including the GGIC, have lost their financing on the day on which the current administration took office in January, he said.

Now GGIC is based on donor and sponsoring contributions to continue his work. Kishman said the organization would survive the shift, but immigrants who are waiting for Visa or other help will suffer from new politics.

“We have the feeling that it is something that is still valuable that has to be done, so we will help people as much as possible,” said Kanghman.

The Matheson History Museum recognizes the importance of preserving history and shows works by local artists. Executive Director of the Matheson History Museum Salvatore Cumella said that the museum would like to work with HO at future exhibitions.

“We love his unique way of capturing the local history with a unique medium,” said Cumella.

A digital exhibition of HOS works of art is to be displayed at the Gainesville Fine Arts Association at the end of July.

Contact Isis Snow under Isnow@alligator.org. Follow her on X @Snow_ISISUF

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Isis snow

Isis Snow is a student for journal for sports journalists and a general order reporter for Avenue. She likes to read and train when she has the opportunity.