Artist Alia Bensliman was commissioned to interview refugees and immigrants in the local community and create painted portraits based on their stories. These deeply personal narratives, gathered through in-depth conversations, reflect themes of displacement, resilience, and identity. The resulting portraits and excerpts from the interviews are being transformed into exhibit panels as part of Courage & Compassion, the final installation in a three-part series. This evolving exhibit begins with Words, Memory, & Music: (Re)Presenting Voices of The Holocaust, continues with Refuge or Refusal (highlighting turning points in immigration history), and culminates in Bensliman’s work centering contemporary voices of courage, memory, and belonging. Preview the digital gallery below.