July 8, 2021 | Issue #9 - Spotlighting Malden
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Greeting
Neighborhood View
Live on MATV
Juneteenth Recap
UMA Coming Events
Around Malden
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Happy Summer!
We here at UMA are looking inward this season, connecting with our community in Malden for a chance to shine a light on all the work our neighbors are doing.
Neighborhood View released its first community spotlight, profiling 3 Asian-owned businesses and organizations. NV also covered the Green Man mosaic, a communal work of art made by Malden and Melrose artists and is covering various other efforts led by community members. UMA captured the Junior Varieties showcase at Malden High School and MaldenCORE's 4th annual Juneteenth, as well as Malden High's graduation.
We're gearing up for a fun summer in downtown Malden with the Summer Festivals continuing through July and August. Check out the local updates and events we've highlighted!
We hope to see you around!
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Always,
Kamila
Newsletter Producer
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Malden Summer Festivals are in full swing! Stop by Downtown Malden from 12-6PM for art, music, games, performances, and much more!
The festival dates are July 10th, July 24th, August 7th, and August 21st.
Video edited by Sophie Carleton, UMA intern.
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Green Man mosaic now on display at Cedar Park in Melrose |
By Christina Appignani
Nearly three years after the project began, the Green Man mosaic is on display at Cedar Park in Melrose. A community art project curated by Melrose artist Lisa Tiemann, the Green Man is a 5-foot by 5-foot mosaic based on the mythical green man.
Originally conceived as a 70th birthday present to herself, Tiemann and 35 artists (amateur and professional) from the Malden-Melrose area worked to put this collaborative project on display, which depicts humans’ intertwined relationship with nature.
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Neighborhood View Community Spotlight |
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Asian American businesses and organizations make an impact in Malden
By Saliha Bayrak and Kyla Denisevich
What started off as martial arts lessons in the driveway of Mai Du 15 years ago is now the nationally renowned Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy in Malden and Quincy.
Lined with a diverse array of businesses and organizations, Malden is a microcosm of a culturally rich world. Many of these locations are owned and operated by Asian Americans — entrepreneurs and community leaders like Du who are shaping the city to reflect their culture.
Asians are the second-largest ethnic group in the city, comprising 22.5 percent of the population. Asian Americans have made unmeasurable contributions to the city and played a significant role in the community, which sometimes goes under appreciated.
Denzil Mohammed directs the Immigrant Learning Center’s Public Education Institute, which works to educate Americans about the contributions of immigrants. “More than 11% of immigrant Asians in the U.S. are self-employed, meaning they’re entrepreneurs, they have some sort of business,” with restaurant and retail being the most represented industries, he said.
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In May, Malden High School hosted its 81st Annual Junior Varieties, titled Mystery at the Met. You can view the full 1.5 hour Junior Varieties performance on MATV/UMA’s Education Channel on Tuesdays at 7:30pm EST or Saturdays at 3:00pm EST.
The showcase gives Malden High students the opportunity to share their talents. Above you'll see Malden High School's Step Team performing “Swag Surfin'” by F.L.Y. – Fast Life Youngstas; the performance called for justice of people of color killed by police. Step Team Members include Christina Pierre-Rene, Arianna Alexandre, Tiannah Macharia, Gelila Lemma, Myrvline Giles, Melissa Calixte, Micaela Henry, Tatiana Pierre-Rene, Moesha Joseph, Stephanie Larrieux, Alex Boisette, Neissa Blass, Krishany Marius, Deborah Yennah, and Kearah-Denae Gomes. The Step Team also performed at MaldenCORE's Juneteenth program and at the Malden Summer Festivals in June.
This performance was filmed by Alyssa and Vanessa Ardai and edited by UMA intern Keren He. Check out the blog by UMA intern Mitchie Miskell for more details and pictures of the Junior Varieties show!
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Juneteenth marked in Malden with joy and reflection |
The 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration, hosted June 19 by Malden CORE (Community Organizing for Racial Equity), was extra special this year. African Americans have marked Juneteeth annually since the late 19th Century, but this year Juneteenth became a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. Juneteenth commemorates when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver the news of emancipation to the last remaining African American slaves on June 19, 1865.
The day began with the in-person 3rd annual Juneteenth Flag Raising at the new City Hall Plaza. Later in the evening, Malden CORE held a virtual celebration on Zoom.
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Photo by Keren He, UMA intern |
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In-Person Artist Reception
@ Urban Media Arts
July 10, 2021
2PM to 4PM
Nicolas Hyacinthe's Carrefour / Crossroads is an illustration of the physical, emotional and spiritual journey across countries, cultures and creative expressions. The term 'carrefour' is the Haitian Creole and French translation of the English word 'crossroads'.
This exhibition showcases the artist' artworks that were made both in Haiti and America. Audiences will have a multi-sensory experience as they enjoy a plethora of powerful fine art photographs as well as a stunning short surrealist film that were created in the Haitian countryside. Viewers will also engage with several absorbing abstract mixed-media paintings, photographs, and captivating poetry that were constructed in the United States.
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Nicolas Hyacinthe is a multifaceted Haitian artist living in Massachusetts. He produces compelling artworks that confront perceptions and challenges the mass marketed narratives. Carrefour / Crossroads is beyond the waltz of words but a dynamic multimedia art exhibition that intersects the artist's experiences, understandings, languages, histories and artistic practices. Wherever and whenever the artworks were conceived, or accomplished, all of Nicolas Hyacinthe's artworks are influenced by his experience of bridging the chasm of these cultures, histories, and languages. The artist and UMA curated a collection of photographs, film, mixed media pieces and poems that embody an enchanting and engaging experience.
Stop by Urban Media Arts at 145 Pleasant St. anytime between 2 and 4PM to meet Nicolas and view his works in our gallery!
For a full listing of Hyacinthe’s work, including films, photography, and paintings, visit his website.
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Head to Downtown Malden from 12-6PM on July 10th!
Visit 20+ artists tents lined up and down Pleasant St. selling and demonstrating their art and craftwork. Check out the multiple live performances through out the day at City Hall Plaza and the Pleasant St. Lot. Play games and support local businesses!
Future Dates:
July 24th
August 7th
August 21st
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Festival within a festival |
Maddie Lam and Alice Feldman are hosting a festival within a festival on August 7th - Our Voices, Our Stories: The Beauty and Resilience of Immigrants.
This segment of the Malden Summer Festivals will occur at City Hall Plaza. Interested in performing, hosting a workshop, or volunteering?
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Malden Public Library Reopening
The Malden Public Library has announced that they are expanding their reopening. All floors will be open for browsing, including the Main Reading Room, Children’s Room, Teen Room, World Language & ESL Collection, Reference and Information Services, and the Converse Local History Room (by appointment only). Throughout the summer, programs for all ages will be available outdoors.
Library Summer Reading Program
The Malden Public Library kicked off its Summer Reading Program on Thursday, July 1st with a celebration on the library lawn. |
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Free Lunch Programs at Malden Public Schools
The Malden Summer Eats Program began on June 28th at Malden High School, where breakfast is served Monday-Friday from 8:20 am to 9:00 am, and lunch is served from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Starting July 6th, free lunches will also be given out Monday-Friday at the Coytemore Lea Pool (11:00 am to 12:00 pm) and Lincoln Commons (11:30 am to 12:30 pm). The Summer Eats program will go until August 13 at all locations.
New Businesses Opening
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Consider making a tax-deductible donation! |
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UMA (Urban Media Arts) is an interconnected hub of creativity, dialog and evolving community, centering around media, arts and culture, and proudly based in Malden, MA. |
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This issue of UMAverse was produced by Kamila Rodrigues and Christina Appignani |
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