In spring of 2023, over 150 community members gathered at the Esperance Community Teaching Kitchen of Commongrounds Cooperative to witness the unveiling of a unique masterpiece: “Sueños Compartidos” (Shared Dreams). A project that took months in the making, just like any other public art, it aimed to connect people and spaces. However, this one was special as it’s the first of its kind in the area that sought to elevate the stories of the Latin American farm workers; stories and lived experiences which we don’t always get to hear in the mainstream platforms.
Painted by artist Julianna Sanroman of Garage Cultural, a community arts incubator based in Southwest Detroit, this project was not only a labor of love but a testament to the process of inclusive storytelling. The genesis of this transformative endeavor can be traced back to JPAC’s collaboration with Jessica Kooiman Parker, Visual Arts Curator of Commongrounds Cooperative. What began as a simple conversation blossomed into a collaborative effort that would redefine the boundaries of public art in our community.
JPAC Board Members with Garage Cultural 
JPAC and Garage Cultural during the initial in person meetings about the project 
JPAC and Garage Cultural during the initial in person meetings about the project 
JPAC with Garage Cultural and the visual arts curator of Commongrounds Cooperative visiting community members 
Community members gather to witness the mural unveiling and enjoy delicious tacos
Through virtual and in-person sessions, the team ventured into the farmlands, gathering spaces, and homes of migrant and immigrant families, weaving together the threads of their lived experiences into the fabric of the mural’s desig
“Lots of people were excited, happy, and proud,” shared Angelica Ledesma, JPAC board member. “They felt that something represented their work.” Angelica, deeply involved in every stage of the project, embodies the spirit of community empowerment and solidarity.
Funded by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) and supported by generous donations from local allies, “Sueños Compartidos” stands as a testament to the beauty of collaboration, inclusive storytelling, and the transformative power of art. The project received excellent press coverage and members of the community were moved and appreciative. Check out the mural located at the second floor of the Common Ground Cooperative building.
En la primavera de 2023, más de 150 miembros de la comunidad se reunieron en la Cocina Comunitaria de la cooperativa Commongrounds para presenciar el desvelamiento de una obra maestra única: “Sueños Compartidos”. Después de meses de trabajo, el proyecto fue un esfuerzo colaborativo liderado por la artista Julianna Sanroman de Garage Cultural, un centro de arte comunitario ubicado en Southwest, Detroit.
El origen de este emprendimiento se remonta a la colaboración de JPAC con Jessica Kooiman Parker, Curadora de Artes Visuales de Commongrounds Cooperative. Lo que comenzó como una simple conversación se convirtió en un esfuerzo colaborativo que redefinió los límites del arte públic en nuestra comunidad.
Durante el proceso de pintura del mural, el equipo repaso áreas rurales, lugares de reunión y hogares de familias migrantes e inmigrantes, entrelazando las experiencias vividas de estas personas en el diseño del mural. “Muchas personas se mostraron emocionadas, felices y orgullosas”, compartió Angélica Ledesma, miembro de la mesa directiva de JPAC. “Sintieron que algo representaba su trabajo”.
Financiado por el Consejo de Arte y Cultura de Michigan y con el apoyo de donaciones de partidarios locales, “Sueños Compartidos” es un testimonio de la belleza de la colaboración, la narración inclusiva y el poder transformador del arte. El proyecto recibió una excelente cobertura de prensa y los miembros de la comunidad se sintieron conmovidos y agradecidos.
Featured image: Artist Julianna Sanroman posing with members of the community depicted in the mural during the unveiling. Photo by R. Duero-Fenlon
Read more from this 9&10 News feature: https://www.9and10news.com/2023/06/09/new-mural-in-traverse-city-highlights-the-importance-of-migrant-workers/