The Long Island Museum Presents Our Journeys/Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement March 15 through June 8, 2008

On March 15 the Long Island Museum presents Our Journeys/Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement, a bilingual exhibition including narratives of 24 individuals and one extended family that tell stories of the influences­­—from family members to public figures—that made them who they are today. The exhibition was developed by the Smithsonian Latino Center and will travel to museums around the country through the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) after closing in Stony Brook on June 8.       Entrepreneur Linda Alvarado was guided by her mother’s philosophy of “start small, but think big.”  Dr. Juan Romagoza was inspired by Archbishop Oscar Romero’s devotion to El Salvador’s poor.  And playwright Luis Valdez says César Chávez has always been his role model.  These and other stories will give visitors to the Long Island Museum a look at the experiences of U.S. Latinos who have made significant contributions to American life.       The exhibition, its national tour and related programs are made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.  Ford Motor Company Fund has also provided support for the exhibition's presentation in Stony Brook and for related education programs.  “This exhibition is an anthology of compelling biographical portraits that evoke the depth and breadth of Latino contributions to American society,” says Anna R. Cohn, director of the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service. “There will be well-known names in the exhibit as well as people who may not be as famous but whose inspirational stories need to be told.” Among the national exhibition’s portraits are astronaut Ellen Ochoa, athlete Rebecca Lobo, artist Pepón Osorio, labor leader Dolores Huerta and folklorist Teodoro Vidal. The Museum will include in the exhibition portraits of three Long Island Latinos who have made accomplishments in their respective fields:  Suffolk County Legislator for the 5th District, Vivian Viloria-Fisher; Puerto Rican born artist, Pura Cruz; and pastor of the Brookville Reformed Church, the Reverend Allan Ramirez. “These stories celebrate what’s at the heart of so many Latino success stories—a desire to achieve and make a difference,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, director of Community Development and International Strategy, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Visitors to this Smithsonian exhibit will have the opportunity to learn about Latinos who have made varying but very important contributions to the American fabric.” A seven-member advisory committee that included historians, curators and people known for their work in the U.S. Latino community selected the men and women featured in the Smithsonian exhibition. Their stories combine to provide an inspirational, illustrated anthology of Latino accomplishments across generations. Our Journeys/Our Stories: Portraits of Latino Achievement Public Programs Programas Públicos Senior Tuesday April 8, 10 a.m. – noon Senior Tuesday April 8, 10 a.m. – noon     Our Journeys/Our Stories April 8, 10:00 a.m. – Noon Seniors are invited to drop in for a free self-guided tour of the exhibition. Visitors may record their own family stories.  Free for seniors 62 and older. El día martes para las personas de la Tercera Edad 8 de abril, 10 a.m. – Mediodía Nuestros Caminos / Nuestras Historias Las personas de la Tercera Edad están invitadas a una visita a la exposición. Los visitantes podrán documentar las historias de sus familias.  Gratis para las personas mayores de 62 años.     BombaYo – Jose Ortiz April 18, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Middle Country Library, Centereach Join Jose Ortiz (Dr. Drum), co-founder and music director of BombaYo, the first youth centered Bomba group in New York City.  Treat yourself to a multi-ethnic performance celebrating the music and dance traditions of Puerto-Rican Bomba. BombaYo – Jose Ortiz 18 de abril, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Middle Country Library, Centereach Acompañe a José Ortiz (Dr. Drum), co-fundador y director musical del grupo de jóvenes BombaYo, el primer grupo de Bomba en New York City. Disfrute de una presentación multiétnica que celebra las tradiciones de música y baile de la Bomba puertorriqueña      Karla Flórez – storyteller:  The Green Inch Worm April 24, 10 – 11 a.m. Middle Country Public Library, Centereach El Gusano Verde, The Green Inchworm. Join El gusano verde to learn Colombian folk music, storytelling and dance. Children will help create costumes, play music and dance. Karla Flórez –Cuentista: El Gusano Verde 24 de abril, 10 – 11 a.m Middle Country Public Library, Centereach El Gusano Verde, The Green Inchworm. Acompañe a El Gusano Verde para aprender música, cuentos, y bailes folklóricos colombianos. Los niños podrán crear disfraces, tocar música y bailar.     Family Festival May 4, 1 – 5 p.m. Day-long festival including local ethnic food, entertainment, crafts and tours of the exhibit.  Families may have portraits taken and share oral histories of their own journeys. Transportation from Middle Country Library; free admission all day. Festival para la familia Domingo, 4 de mayo, 1-5 p.m. Un día de festival, incluyendo comidas latinas, entretenimiento, artesanías y visitas a la exposición. Las familias podrán obtener sus retratos y compartir las historias de sus vidas. Transportación disponible desde la Biblioteca de Middle County; entrada gratis.

The Long Island Museum is located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 per person, $6 for seniors and $3 for students ages six through 17. Museum members and children under six are admitted for free. For additional information call 631-751-0066 Become a museum member and receive the quarterly newsletter, News & Events , which includes details about upcoming exhibitions and programs