“P’alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward” Gallery Opening at Somerville Library on August 4

Community members are invited to attend the gallery opening for the upcoming P’alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward photo and video project. Opening at the West Branch Library, this community-centered project was led by local photographer Mario Quiroz, in collaboration with the Somerville Media Center and the Community Action Agency of Somerville, with support from the Ballantyne administration including Somerville Public Library, the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Department of Racial and Social Justice, SomerPromise, and the Somerville Arts Council with support from the Mass Cultural Council. 

Mario Quiroz, the lead photographer, describes the project as “a celebration of the many wonderful things that make up our immigrant communities in Somerville. Our personal, family, and collective history is based on resilience.” He added that “We believe that now, more than ever, it’s worth it to create visual records and to celebrate those who are taking steps ahead. Small entrepreneurs, new homeowners, old-time renters, recent graduates, young families... these are some of the examples of going further, going P’alante.” 

The gallery opening event with music and refreshments will take place on Monday, August 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Branch Library, 40 College Ave. The gallery opening is free to attend and open to all ages. Attendees will be able to explore photos and stories from the project, view the project video for the first time, and hear from the artist. Entertainment includes DJ Mike Fire and a live performance by drum ensemble Grooversity! Light refreshments will be provided. 

Photographs from the project will be on display from August 1 to September 30 at the East and West Branches of the library, and from August 1 to August 30 in the Central Library Auditorium. 

For more information, please contact Jake Savage, Somerville Public Library Social Worker, at jsavage@somervillema.gov.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.  

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at somerviva@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.  

This event will be videotaped by the City’s GovTV team. Watch it on-demand with optional closed-captioning (select the CC icon) on YouTube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Or watch on cable TV at GovTV ( somervillema.gov/video) Comcast Ch. 22 and GovTV Astound (RCN) Ch. 13 & 613. Videos generally post within one business day .