Adopting Identity Exhibit Opening

KST Presents

6p :: Doors Open
KST’s Alloy Studios
5530 Penn Ave :: Map

Founder of Adopting Identity, Liana Maneese kicks off a month-long Penn Avenue Creative residency at KST’s Alloy Studios with an photo exhibition titled “WHO DETERMINES YOUR IDENTITY?”. Join us at KST Alloy Studios during the Unblurred: First Fridays gallery crawl to view the Adopting Identity photo portrait collection. These b/w portraits put focus on multi-racial and adopted individuals that have shared their stories around personal identity and existing within various cultures. During the evening there will also be a “fishbowl” conversation that includes 6 panelist sharing personal stories. This panel will present youth and adults engaging in candid conversation that brings light to the stories depicted in the photo exhibition.

Here’s what Penn Avenue Creative, Liana Maneese has to say about the project

Adopting Identity was founded as a multi-media communications tool that explores commonality while simultaneously highlighting the individual humanity of the adopted and mixed race experience. Folks who have intersectional multiracial identities often feel that their identity is not determined by them, but rather by the gaze of others. Though adoptees may know where they were born, how do they connect with that space and more importantly themselves having been raised in a “foreign land”? When you add language complexities and race, among other layers, this can confuse the greater public and lead one to the interrogation and negotiation of another human being. We believe that education through dialogue with across communities is a strategy to transform perspectives on identity.

Presented as part of Penn Avenue Creative, an accelerator program for emerging artists, entrepreneurs, social change leaders and visionaries.

Made possible with generous support from The Heinz Endowments.