Jasmine Rivera

Jasmine Rivera has been invited by iMPeRFeCT Gallery to co-curate an exhibit focused on celebrating immigrants in the Philadelphia region, entitled Indivisible: A Celebration of Immigrants, Refugees and the Pursuit of Freedom, which opened on July 4th. Indivisible showcases the narratives and artistic expression of those who have chosen to make the United States their home despite hostility, white supremacy, and broken systems – and imagines a future when the nation is truly united, where immigrants are not only welcomed, they are celebrated. The exhibition will run for a month and will incorporate a panel with the contributing artists and a block party for the surrounding community.

The WOO Grant will help Jasmine with finishing funds for various supplies associated with preparing for the exhibition, as well as food costs for the opening reception.

Jasmine Rivera is one of the artists/activists who played an integral role in helping shut down the Berks County Detention Center, which held immigrant families and later, immigrant women. As a result, Jasmine has been invited by Vox Populi to exhibit the work and tell the story of the campaign and its victory through the art made for the Shut Down Berks Coalition. The exhibition, running from May 15th to June 15th, will showcase how art was vital to winning this victory and demonstrate how communities can win on the issues they organize on, hopefully inspiring others to take on campaigns that may seem daunting. The WOO Grant will support Jasmine with finishing funds for the exhibition. Art made by families while detained will be featured in the center of the exhibit.

Jasmine is working with the Shut Down Berks Coalition on a series of educational videos to use in their social media campaign. These videos will feature different Latina members of the coalition speaking on various topics that are connected to their goal for the State of Pennsylvania to end immigrant family detention. The videos will also utilize art, photos, and graphics that have been made for the campaign. 

Through a video project, Jasmine will interview and document three Peruvian women about their experiences within resistance and social justice movements. Capturing firsthand the role of these immigrant women of color, the project will examine what worked and did not work at the time and how individuals can apply the lessons from these experiences to their work today. In addition to serving as an educational and organizing tool, Jasmine’s project will preserve Latina culture and the knowledge that one’s own history is a vital first step in movement building. The project will conclude with a public screening.