About the Exhibit

If you could claim any place in the world as your own, where would it be?

Third graders at El Verano School learned about the American artist Faith Ringgold. She is most famous for her story quilts, in which she combines writing, paintings, and traditional quilting. Ringgold transformed one of her story quilts into the vibrant children’s book, Tar Beach. In the book, the main character Cassie imagines herself flying over the city, claiming different places for herself and her family; in her mind, she is creating spaces where they can feel safe, be themselves, and pursue their dreams.  

After learning about Faith Ringgold and reading Tar Beach, students chose a place that they would like to claim for themselves and their families. Some chose a place where they currently feel comfortable and joyful, like their home, the beach, or a favorite family vacation spot. Others chose an aspirational place – somewhere they dream of exploring in the future, somewhere that excites their imaginations.  Just as the students were inspired by Faith Ringgold, they hope you will be inspired by their artwork – inspired to create, inspired to dream, inspired to find a place where you can be yourself.