Journeys: Immigrant Storytelling Through the Arts

“Journeys: Immigrant Storytelling Through the Arts” will launch with a free event slated from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 6 on the third floor of the Metropolis, 102 W. High St., Springfield.

This family-friendly project celebrates the stories of immigrants who have come to Springfield. The goal of the program is to create understanding, empathy and acceptance.

“Whether your family has lived in the city for generations or you are a recent arrival, we aim to celebrate everyone’s immigrant story through creative expression,” said organizers in a news release. “There are many ways to tell a story. Although storytelling is the heart of the project, we encourage other art forms like painting, photography, music and poetry.”

Featured storytellers/poets include:

• Jacques Adler Jean Pierre, a Haitian American poet, journalist, playwright, short story writer. He has published three collections of poems and a story collection titled "Tigri."

• Mia Perez, a Cuban American immigration attorney and interpreter, director…