Bringing a multicultural twist to Peak Into Peterborough, the Mariposa Museum will host a talk by New Hampshire photographer Becky Field on building bridges to New Hampshire’s multi-cultural communities through photography.
The talk, which starts at 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 15, will be preceded by West African drumming by Ghana-born resident Theo Martey, starting at 2:15 p.m..
The event is linked to an exhibit of Field’s photography of immigrants and refugees in New Hampshire that is currently featured at the Mariposa.
At a time when there is heated debate about “immigration” and “refugees” on the local, national and international stage,
Field’s work illuminates the richness and vitality people from multiple cultures bring to New Hampshire communities. Since the mid-1980s, more than 7,500 people have come to the state as immigrants or refugees, adding to a 300-year history of immigration in the Granite State.
Field was inspired to embark on her project in 2011, when three African families found their Concord homes spray-painted with hate graffiti. In 2012, a Bhutanese family found a hate-filled notice taped to their door.
“I wanted to find a way to let these people know that they are also welcomed by many of us and valued members of our state-wide community,” Field said.
Since then, she has taken more than 50,000 photographs of people from 48 countries, seeking to portray their vitality and diversity as well as experiences that reveal themes all people have in common.
The Mariposa Museum and World Culture Center is located at 26 Main Street in Peterborough.