Perceptions of dual Identity

Art Education program

Exploring the feelings of identity, belonging and acceptance through art.

Photo Credit: Julie Benard

Session 1

Dual identity and personal identity

During the first session, we talked about dual identity and the leading question was: “What does it mean to be latino in canada?” We also dug deeper into Personal Identity. We started with a 10 minute introduction on dual identity, project objectives and expectations for sharing. We then proceeded with the “Personal Identity Wheel” activity. This was a great ice breaker, as it gave them the opportunity to connect with other teens.

Session 2

The color of my identity

During this session, participants were guided to create an abstract artwork based on their migration journey. We started the session with a small meditation, where participants were asked to go back to the last moment in their country of origin. Who was the last person they hugged? What did they see, who did they say goodbye to and what did the journey to Canada feel like? Teenagers were encouraged to share the emotions they felt and still do as immigrants. We then broke into an art making session, where they were given various art supplies to express the emotion they linked to their migration journey.

Photo Credit: Julie Benard

Photo Credit: Julie Benard

Session 3

Belonging and Transforming

Participants were welcomed by a room filled with hanging affirmations. We proceeded to sit down and read the extract of Caroline’s book: “la ou je me terre”. The extract speaks about how sometimes, your need for acceptance and belonging is so big that you repress your first culture. We reflected together on what that means, the loss you can experience of doing something like that and it also served as a reminder that we are valuable and that having two cultures is a rich experience worth sharing, not repressing.

Session 4

My Values, My Identity

Participants were welcomed to a room filled with values, all of them hanging on mirrors and walls; divided into four categories: self-development values, social ethical values, emotional, developmental values, Economic and Pragmatic Values. They selected values they connected with the most and wrote an example of a moment when they practiced that value. Once the story was written, all facilitators helped them select words that they would write on their body as a reminder of their values.

Photo Credit: Julie Benard

Photo Credit: Julie Benard

Session 5

Coming together

During this session, participants had the opportunity to finish any pending artwork. Some were still working on the painting they started on session 2. They were asked to write about their artwork. What did it represent? What would the title be? It was a preparation for our exhibit, in addition to an interview session, where each participant was asked to answer questions about their migration journey and their experience in the program.