Mariana Paz

"Listening Works" is an innovative art installation that tackles significant issues in the city of Everett by creating a safe space for art and conversation. This project will be the first project of our newly formed collective “Listening Works.” We intend to cultivate consciousness, compassion, and discourse within community, thereby nurturing a more profound comprehension of the meaning of community, in particular the value of listening. We are grateful for Art + Everywhere’s endorsement and collaboration in materializing "Listening Works," as together, we possess the ability to engender a significant and enduring influence in Everett and in other communities moving forward.

Everett is a gateway city with a majority immigrant and low income population. Despite our resilient communities and huge potential for growth, Everett continues to be plagued and paralyzed by issues such as racism, political corruption, voter suppression, redlining, and discrimination against BIPOC communities.

The key stakeholders of “Listening Works” are Everett residents working in concert with Lesley MFA alumni and students and the City of Everett Planning Department. Our objective is to establish relationships between making art and the daily lives of individuals by engaging these groups in a dialogue that enhances our collective comprehension. This installation will function as a creative partnership, highlighting underutilized public park spaces to reach out to a broader audience and contribute to the betterment of our community.

Creating sculpture from recycled materials and choreographing performances in relation to the sculptures offers a powerful experience for young artists. Inviting neighbors to a celebration honoring the work becomes an opportunity to share stories and strengthen our community.

The seed money and support from Art+Everywhere will allow us to begin this important work.

Artist Bio

Mariana Paz is an interdisciplinary artist who migrated to the United States from Argentina in 2001 and established herself in Boston, MA. She graduated from Lesley University in 2020 with a Master of Fine Arts. Paz is an artist whose practice is an exploration that ties together her personal experience with migration, hardship, discrimination, visibility, and invisibility, by drawing connections to those who are in similar confinements.

As a dancer and performance artist Paz sees beauty in our everyday movements. She embraces instinct and spirituality in her work. Using her own narrative and personal memory to reveal ruptures, she draws links between the past and present in order to create layers of meaning. Paz acknowledges a long history of oppression, resilience, and undying strength that is reflected in her community and others.