Resistance & Resilience Through Art: Undocumented Communities Coping in the Current Climate
Featuring artist and poet Yosimar Reyes

Creativity, expression, and community are being utilized as tools of resistance and resilience by undocumented individuals. In the midst of the current national crisis of immigration, the ability to imagine new worlds has been key to the survival of many undocumented people – including UCI students.

At this event, participants will walk among student artwork by UCI UndocuArt Collective, interact with the artists, meet campus and community organizations and representatives to network and exchange ideas. Special guest Yosimar Reyes will speak about art as a tool of resistance and resilience. We will also hear from a panel of undocumented students about what making art has meant for them.

Nationally acclaimed public speaker, poet and performance artist Yosimar Reyes will talk about the work at the intersection of art and social justice. Born in Guerreo, Mexico and raised in Eastside San Jose, Reyes explores the themes of migration and sexuality in his work. He identifies with the LGBT community and is the co-founder of the performance ensemble, La Maricolectiva, a community-based performance group of queer undocumented poets. His first collection of poetry, “For Colored Boys Who Speak Softly…,” was published in collaboration with the legendary Carlos Santana. Reyes has toured and presented at university campuses all over the United States.