The above photo is of Sterling at the White House for A Summit on Arts and Culture in our Communities
At the EMU art show, people had the opportunity to view the art, provide their impressions of art to be sent to the artists, and hear from various people about the impact of art and the art show.
Former inside student and UO graduate, Sterling, did a performance of his poetry which moved the crowd. Sterling, a self described artivist (activist through art) and spoken-word poet has been taking UO classes in prison since before the Prison Education Program was officially founded. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree shortly after re-entering the community. He says that educational opportunities are among the most transformational spaces and he is honored to be part of an effort that expands life changing opportunities that increase social mobility.
Sterling started writing poetry while in solitary confinement because he felt that “on the page was the only place he could be emotional,” he went on to say that art became his therapy. Now, Sterling performs all around the country sharing the messages of hope and that the greatest social change comes from younger generations. Additionally, Sterling hopes to build the bridge between his work and educational institutions to empower change.
At the art show, Sterling performed a piece he calls Dolphin Speak. He wrote it for the Ubuntu Climate Initiative Cultural Arts Summit with the National Endowment for the Arts. He drew inspiration from the desire to perform something hopeful now that he is “no longer struggling and experiencing difficulty.” Watch his performance here.
As part of his work with the Ubuntu Climate Initiative Cultural Arts Summit, he is helping to organize an arts showcase from people’s individual video submissions. Sterling says that “this is the first national climate resilience effort that has intentionally included justice impacted people as a part of leadership efforts.” The overall goal of the contest is to “reunite people and planet in communal ways while remembering the past to move forward.” Read more about the project here. Follow the project on Instagram @ubuntuclimateinitative.