Dreamer Warriors brings together first, second, and third generation local immigrant and nonimmigrant artists that explore identity and constantly challenge the idea of existence outside of “expected stereotyping”. The perception of immigrants, by others and themselves, differs through social conception, cultural judgements, political predispositions, religious expectations, and the trauma that has been caused by stereotypes. All they fight for is to belong, to be respected, and be heard like everyone else.

Participating Artists:

Shirin Abedinirad, Nour Ballout, Kevin Cendejas, Madhurima Ganguly, Parisa Ghaderi, G.E. Liu, Mengjie Mo, Merel Noorlander, Olya Salimova, Cherry Wood

Featured Artist: Mike Sivak, curated by Maureen Devine

Live Performance and Gallery Talk

Join us Saturday, May 20 at the Detroit Artists Market and engage with the artists and artwork in Dreamer Warriors, curated by Jetshri Bhadviya.  Visitors will experience a live performance by Cherry Wood who criticizes the unspoken and ignored subcultures in industries, corporations, and institutions where people are hired into stereotypical positions because of their heritage, skin color and accent instead of relying on their education, past experience and skills.

Following the performance, join an open dialogue with artists featured in the exhibition and hear the stories behind their works. The audience and artists will have an opportunity to understand each other by sharing their thoughts on borders, emotions, nostalgia, trauma, and dream vs reality. These are commonly occurring themes in lives of people who have been invisibilized, isolated or deemed as the other because they are too American for their country of origin and not American enough for America!

FREE Admission – RSVP at Eventbrite

WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 12:30p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Live performance at 12:30 p.m. with conversation to follow.

WHERE: 4719 Woodward Ave, Detroit (parking behind DAM, off Forest Ave.)

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Featured Artist: Mike Sivak