LaborArts is a non-profit organization that uses the unique power of the arts to inspire interest – and action – around worker’s history. Founded in 2000, it documents and celebrates the artistic and cultural heritage of working people and the Labor movement, and encourages understanding of their often overlooked contributions to our society. Over the past two decades, the NYC Central Labor Council and many local unions have partnered with LaborArts on Labor history events and on creating online exhibits and a book about the history of work in New York.
The CUNY/LaborArts contest, Making Work Visible, encourages CUNY college students, mostly from low-income and immigrant communities, to use writing and creative expression to share their experience of being a worker in New York. CUNY is one of the largest and most diverse community college systems in the United States, with many students working while they are studying. Participants in this program improve their writing skills and receive recognition for their achievements and contributions their work makes to our society.
Encouraging young people to learn about organized labor is a key component to this program. Many unions are focused on next generation engagement, yet the majority of these young workers have limited exposure to unions. This program not only raises awareness but helps participants to value their role in the workforce and lead by example in their communities.
WDI spent some virtual time with past participants of the contest to learn about their experience engaging in the creative process. Each participant expressed their appreciation for workers and generations that came before them. Julia Andresakis (Brooklyn College) expressed that through her writing and the creative process involved, that it was, "an opportunity to humanize people who are often looked beyond". Aminata Gueye (Lehman College) explained that, "In the brainstorming process,...it became so vivid and visceral- the people who make this city come together, the people who are not visible whose work is not visible. Even though I did pay attention before, it made me see how they contribute to our every day lives." Briana Calderon-Navarro (Hunter College) spoke about the experience her family had immigrating to America, and her experience as a small business owner herself in the world of work.
The Making Work Visible contest brings participating students closer to Labor history in America, and through the creative arts, offers them an opportunity to further explore the role of past generations, current workers, and their own journeys into the workforce.
Please visit the links below to view the winning entries from Julia, Aminata, and Briana.
For more information about the upcoming Making Work Visible contest, visit http://laborarts.org/exhibits/contest2021/index.html#contest2022.
Julia Andresakis, Brooklyn College
first prize in the fiction category for her story "Dino’s Diner"
Aminata Gueye, Lehman College
second prize in the poetry category for "The Stories We Tell Across the Atlantic"
Briana Calderon-Navarro, Hunter College
first prize in Visual Arts category for "Chasing Threads Home"