Guest Blog from our Connecticut State Coordinator, Mary Quintas

Fantastic things are happening in the One Million Bones Connecticut chapter, where I am lucky enough to be the state coordinator.  In November, Yale University’s Genocide Action Project hosted two One Million Bones events: a gallery exhibit featuring bones made by CT high school students, and a speaking engagement with our Founder and Director Naomi Natale.

The exhibit included over 200 bones made by students at Common Ground High School and Norwich Technical High School; thank you to the students for creating such beautiful bones, and to art teachers Joan Malerba-Foran and Emily Cole Hayes for facilitating the project at their schools.

Bones were displayed in front of filmed testimonials of genocide survivors and perpetrators; the juxtaposition intensified the impact of the installation.

 

Quotes from genocide and holocaust survivors were projected onto the opposite wall. 

Opening night attendees also raised funds by making bones from newspaper and masking tape.

At Yale’s Pierson College, Naomi spoke about her personal journey towards founding One Million Bones, the importance of creating a visible movement, and the ways in which communities across the country have adopted the project.  Naomi said that when the issues and the work feel overwhelming, she and the Albuquerque team make bones.  This resonated with me a great deal.  One of the amazing things about this project is that, when you feel helpless in the face of these massive issues, there is a specific action you can take.

I’d like to take this opportunity as guest blogger to say how rewarding it is to work with the One Million Bones team, as well as the participating educators, artists, and students in Connecticut.  If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about the CT chapter, email me at mary.onemillionbones@gmail.com, visit our Facebook page, and check out this article about Vernon Center School working towards their goal of 1000 bones!