FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2011
Springfield community groups to transform vacant commercial space and host multimedia “We Shall Not Be Moved†exhibit to put spotlight on foreclosure crisis
SPRINGFIELD, MA — The Springfield No One Leaves/Nadie Se Mude Campaign will partner with documentary photographer Kelly Creedon to host We Shall Not Be Moved, a multimedia exhibit that documents the human impact of the foreclosure crisis. Community volunteers, including foreclosed homeowners and tenants as well as their allies, will work with the photographer to install the exhibit in a vacant commercial space on Worthington Street in downtown Springfield.
On November 19 and 20, community volunteers will transform the vacant space into an installation that both honors the stories of families facing foreclosure and celebrates the grassroots struggle that is keeping hope alive for these families and their allies. An opening reception on December 2 from 5pm to 8pm will feature live testimonies and cultural presentations by community members. The exhibit will be on display from November 21 through December 18.
This local collaboration echoes the national context of demonstrations against the Wall Street-led corporate greed that led to the housing crisis. Springfield has been dramatically impacted by the crisis; in 2010, the city saw 595 foreclosures, the highest in the state.
The exhibit will feature stories of Springfield families including David and Yanick Dunwell and their three daughters. Bank of America foreclosed on the Dunwells after they fell behind on their mortgage when David lost his job of 17 years due to budget cuts. With David and Yanick both working full-time again, the family could afford to purchase their home at current market value or pay rent. However, Fannie Mae has refused to negotiate and is moving to evict the family.
With the support of Mass Humanities and the Puffin Foundation, photographer Kelly Creedon has spent the past three years focusing her lens on the human impact of the foreclosure crisis. Through compelling still photographs and moving audio testimonies, Creedon captures the emotional impact of foreclosure and displacement, as well as the spirit and inspiration behind a powerful movement that is creating real hope among those most affected by the crisis.
The Springfield No One Leaves Campaign is a group of community organizations dedicated to mobilizing tenants and former homeowners living in recently or about to be foreclosed homes to stop evictions, protect Springfield’s housing and neighborhoods, and fight back against banks that are tearing communities apart.
Kelly Creedon is an award-winning documentary photographer based in Boston, MA. Her work has appeared in the Boston Globe, Boston Magazine, Shelterforce, PBS Newshour, and NPR, among others. For more of her work, visit www.kellycreedon.com.
Morgan Square is sponsoring this partnership through the donation of space for the exhibit.
Contact:
Malcolm Chu, Springfield No One Leaves: nooneleavesspringfield@gmail.com, 413.342.1804
Kelly Creedon: kelly@kellycreedon.com, 617.771.2844
High-resolution images and interviews available upon request.
For more information:
We Shall Not Be Moved: www.weshallnotbemoved.net Springfield No One Leaves/Nadie Se Mude Campaign: www.springfieldnooneleaves.org
###
