“Our Origin Story: The Making of America” video exhibit can be viewed on Peekskill Arts Alliance YouTube.

Our origin story exhibit explores the relevance and significance of family history. Who were our ancestors, the generations that came before us? How does their genetic makeup, and their personal history, biology, and experience, impact our aesthetic intent? How does emigration, language, environment, cultural tradition or historical narrative, feature in our creative process if at all? What makes us who we are and how we express ourselves visually? What gets passed on, and what is radically different in the world in which we live?

As we acknowledge the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, what ‘unites’ us is our diversity as well as our belief in the freedom of expression. This virtual exhibit is a testament to that diversity, as well as a visual exploration of the thread of ancestry that brought us to this time and place.

Thank you to the artists who contributed their art and stories to this moving and inspiring exhibit. Our deep appreciation goes to our friend, Debra Feiman, who initiated the project and created this unique and meaningful online exhibit.