Workshops & Activity Rooms for Students in 6th-12th

Workshop: In this workshop we will explore the many ways social media can be used as a tool that benefits us instead of one that hurts us. We’ll also discuss the ways the dominant culture shows up in the information/media we consume each day, and how we can break free of it all. We will learn skills to decolonize the ways we use social media for visibility and discuss effective wellness practices all while creating a go-to Zine that can be used daily. We will move through the creative process as a collective. 

Bios: Described as spiritual and moving, Genie Santiago is a Boston based musician, poet, visual artist, event producer, and bruja. Her art draws from her experience growing up in poverty, overcoming trauma, and as a Queer Indigenous Puerto Rican. Genie is unafraid to empower others to overcome trauma, decolonize the mind, and stray from the ideals of self-hatred that society places upon us. Her work as Co-Owner and Director of Performing Arts at Creatives of Color Boston allows her to create events and opportunities for MA based BIPOC artists. She can be found blessing many stages performing original poetry and songs from her newest album “Inner Space.”

Tammi Fedestin is a Boston-born arts administrator and artist with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector. Tammi is a queer Haitian woman with a fascination for all things nerdy and creepily cute. She currently holds a BA in Arts Management from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA. Tammi has worked in a variety of settings, which allowed her to grow her skills as an administrator, graphic designer, and, sometimes, emergency seamstress. Her favorite thing in the world is to see someone being their most authentic selves. Seeing people embracing all aspects of themselves brings Tammi immense joy. Currently, she helps run an art collective called Creatives of Color Boston and offers administrative support to the dance company, Jean Appolon Expressions. She also runs a virtual art gallery on her website, Cosmic Zo.

Join other queer folks and allies of faith in a discussion about the joys and challenges of these intersecting identities. This is intended as an affinity space for people who identify with any faith, religion, or spirituality. (If you're wondering if that means you, it does!)

Led by Jordan Harris, Pastor of Connexion in Somerville (a "renewed faith community" in the United Methodist Church), and Jordan Ahmed, a Muslim educator at FMA.

How do we balance our belief in restorative justice with our vulnerability as marginalized people? 

In this workshop, we will explore what restorative justice means in different contexts, and specifically to us as students. We will focus on what empathy and restorative justice looks like for us as queer people. This workshop will begin with a short presentation before moving into a longer discussion. 

What goes into a drag performance? How do you choose a name and create a look? Come with questions for our drag king and queen performers!

Get creative with ashley herring of Blackyard Arts!

Need a sensory break from all that Pride energy? This room will be a quiet, calm space for sensory-friendly relaxation and creativity.

Find your next queer read, talk with other book lovers, swap recommendations for TV shows with great LGBTQ+ representation, and more! Don't forget to take home a free book or two!!