TO BE HERE at Christ Church Neighborhood House

TO BE HERE is a multi-day exhibition and storytelling performance created by artists Lynda Grace Black and Magda Martinez, rooted in communal storytelling about family journeys to Philadelphia, the realities of staying, and the resilience required to build a life there. Developed over the course of a year through story circles, the work features personal objects contributed by participants — including letters, family photographs, and heirlooms — forming an immersive exhibition environment. The performance, developed in collaboration with theater artist Tanaquil Marquez, brings these stories to life through an ensemble of community members, blending live and recorded storytelling across generations and backgrounds. Presented by Journey Arts, the piece reflects on shared experiences of loss, transformation, and connection as a collective portrait of the city.