Art in Community First Person Plural: Honoring immigrant stories in White Bear Lake On the grounds of White Bear Center for the Arts, you might see new-even familiar faces. In the form of huge black and white mural portraits, local artist and White Bear Lake resident Cadex Herrera's latest project. "First Person Plural" shares the journeys of immi- grants who now call White Bear Lake home. Through in-depth conversations and interviews with ten immigrant com munity members, Herrera has created a powerful two-part project a documen tary that serves as a vital record, telling their stories and ways they've enriched their communities and a series of mu rals that bring their faces to the public eye. Herrera is a local mural artist who has created First Person Plural instal lations across the metro area, and now brings the project to White Bear Lake. First Person Plural refers to the col- lective pronouns "we," "us" and "our" In this project, Herrera zeroes in on the pronoun "we," the first word in the Constitution of the United States. Em bracing "we," Herrera moves beyond the individual to emphasize community and togetherness "We immigrants are the invisible force that makes this country work." Herrera notes. "These murals are meant to make them visible." One of the sto- ries Herrera hopes to tell is that of Peter Atakpa, a lifelong educator who moved to the United States from Nigeria at a young age. Peter served as a principal in the St. Paul public school district for many years and is now the director and owner of the Mathnasium of White Bear Lake. For many years, Peter and his wife have cultivated an impressive business, embodying the spirit of resilience and growth that exists in all of Herrera's subjects. In conversation with Herrera, Peter shared his journey that began when he arrived in Minnesota over 40 years ago. Knowing limited English and speaking with a thick accent, he recalled Upcoming Avenue of the Arts Events: Fall Community Day White Bear Center for the Arts October 26, 1:00-3:00 PM Celebrate fall with WBCA for an afternoon full of people underestimating him because of his accent, and being perceived as less intelligent. With multiple degrees including a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership, he defies that narrative. And now he uses his experience to help struggling students understand and excel in math. Herrera collaborated with local or- ganizations including Many Faces, the White Bear Lake Area Schools, White Bear Center for the Arts and the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake to connect him with folks willing to tell their sto- ries, talking with ten immigrants over the course of a year. As an immigrant himself, moving from Belize to the United States to pursue art when he was 19 years old. Herrera knows what it's like to feel oth- art! Compete in a pumpkin carving contest, and walk in a costume parade, fill out an art passport to enter a raffle, while giving several art mediums a try. WBCA Cinema Club White Bear Center for the Arts November 7, 6:30-9:00 PM WBCA is kicking off our movie screening series with the 1941 classic "Citizen Kane. Often considered the best film ever made, see er. "I remember walking into different spaces, the grocery store, or the library and realizing that I was different," he says. "I didn't want to be seen, and it took me a long time to say, "It's okay for me to be in these spaces." That's what he hopes to accomplish with this installation, for immigrants to feel seen and welcomed. In the murals, faces are made up of dots akin to those of a demographic map. The dots represent numbers, sta- tistics, and mobility. Inspired by photo- graphs taken by Herrera, shot at a lower angle with the subject facing the viewer, each image is imbued with dignity as if to say "Look at me-I am here, look me in the eye." You can see "First Person Plural" on view at White Bear Center for the Arts starting Oct. 24, through May 2025. This is a Many Faces event hosted by White Bear Center for the Arts. This exhibition is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts how this groundbreaking film has influenced the media we watch today. Fuddy Meers The Hanif Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre November 1-11 Century College Playhouse presents their fall play, a poignant, yet brutal comedy about a woman's quest to regain her memory." Art in Community First Person Plural : Honoring immigrant stories in White Bear Lake On the grounds of White Bear Center for the Arts , you might see new - even familiar faces . In the form of huge black and white mural portraits , local artist and White Bear Lake resident Cadex Herrera's latest project . " First Person Plural " shares the journeys of immi- grants who now call White Bear Lake home . Through in - depth conversations and interviews with ten immigrant com munity members , Herrera has created a powerful two - part project a documen tary that serves as a vital record , telling their stories and ways they've enriched their communities and a series of mu rals that bring their faces to the public eye . Herrera is a local mural artist who has created First Person Plural instal lations across the metro area , and now brings the project to White Bear Lake . First Person Plural refers to the col- lective pronouns " we , " " us " and " our " In this project , Herrera zeroes in on the pronoun " we , " the first word in the Constitution of the United States . Em bracing " we , " Herrera moves beyond the individual to emphasize community and togetherness " We immigrants are the invisible force that makes this country work . " Herrera notes . " These murals are meant to make them visible . " One of the sto- ries Herrera hopes to tell is that of Peter Atakpa , a lifelong educator who moved to the United States from Nigeria at a young age . Peter served as a principal in the St. Paul public school district for many years and is now the director and owner of the Mathnasium of White Bear Lake . For many years , Peter and his wife have cultivated an impressive business , embodying the spirit of resilience and growth that exists in all of Herrera's subjects . In conversation with Herrera , Peter shared his journey that began when he arrived in Minnesota over 40 years ago . Knowing limited English and speaking with a thick accent , he recalled Upcoming Avenue of the Arts Events : Fall Community Day White Bear Center for the Arts October 26 , 1 : 00-3 : 00 PM Celebrate fall with WBCA for an afternoon full of people underestimating him because of his accent , and being perceived as less intelligent . With multiple degrees including a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership , he defies that narrative . And now he uses his experience to help struggling students understand and excel in math . Herrera collaborated with local or- ganizations including Many Faces , the White Bear Lake Area Schools , White Bear Center for the Arts and the Rotary Club of White Bear Lake to connect him with folks willing to tell their sto- ries , talking with ten immigrants over the course of a year . As an immigrant himself , moving from Belize to the United States to pursue art when he was 19 years old . Herrera knows what it's like to feel oth- art ! Compete in a pumpkin carving contest , and walk in a costume parade , fill out an art passport to enter a raffle , while giving several art mediums a try . WBCA Cinema Club White Bear Center for the Arts November 7 , 6 : 30-9 : 00 PM WBCA is kicking off our movie screening series with the 1941 classic " Citizen Kane . Often considered the best film ever made , see er . " I remember walking into different spaces , the grocery store , or the library and realizing that I was different , " he says . " I didn't want to be seen , and it took me a long time to say , " It's okay for me to be in these spaces . " That's what he hopes to accomplish with this installation , for immigrants to feel seen and welcomed . In the murals , faces are made up of dots akin to those of a demographic map . The dots represent numbers , sta- tistics , and mobility . Inspired by photo- graphs taken by Herrera , shot at a lower angle with the subject facing the viewer , each image is imbued with dignity as if to say " Look at me - I am here , look me in the eye . " You can see " First Person Plural " on view at White Bear Center for the Arts starting Oct. 24 , through May 2025 . This is a Many Faces event hosted by White Bear Center for the Arts . This exhibition is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board , thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature , and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts how this groundbreaking film has influenced the media we watch today . Fuddy Meers The Hanif Performing Arts Center Black Box Theatre November 1-11 Century College Playhouse presents their fall play , a poignant , yet brutal comedy about a woman's quest to regain her memory . "