Community Engagement

Three community dinner events were held as part of the community engagement process. In all events, community members came together to share a meal and stories around the topic of Invasive Species. The Fall 2022 Dinner fostered intimate conversations about personal migrations and plant cultivation. The Spring 2024 Dinner, entitled Displaced But Rooted, featured curated food offerings by Chef Laquanda Dobson, centered around the Invasive Species conversation. At this event, eo Studio set up a digital storybooth, enabling visitors to self-record their stories, of which selections are included in the Outdoor Installation and the Performance. The Winter 2023 Dinner marked the end of the public exhibitions and events, and was attended by many participants and collaborators of the project, including representatives at SEPTA, the Rail Park, and Community College of Philadelphia.

Fall Dinner

Spring Dinner

Asian Arts Initiative's annual Block Party took place on October 1, 2022 and October 8th, 2023, both celebrating the Invasive Species project and the Cut. The 2023 Block Party took place in Matthias Baldwin Park and brought together members of the neighboring communities. The Block Party was an opportunity for the public to meet the lead artists, and to enjoy music, poetry, dance offerings, with local food and drinks.

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