Hope without Borders
Photography with Graphic Art
Jameson Filston 2021
Waughtown as a neighborhood is affectionately known as little Mexico because of the vibrant Hispanic community that animates its businesses and warms its homes. For over 20 years, it has been the hub of Hispanic culture in Winston-Salem. The bus shelter at Broadbay and Waughtown is near iconic businesses like the Disco Rodeo and Tiendas and affordable housing occupied by recent immigrants looking for a brighter future.
The bus shelter art project entitled “Hope without Borders” illustrates the communities desire for a brighter future as it depicts their jubilant children with butterflies, the internationally recognized symbol of migration. The immigrants in Waughtown work hard for the hope of a brighter future for their children.
The children pictured in Hope without Borders live in Waughtown in the tension of being American by birth and Mexican through the pride of upbringing. They long to see the homeland of their parents and be connected to the prosperity that drew their parents to the United States.
Creating places through art such as Hope without Borders illuminates the desire we all share to see jubilant children free of worry. Hope without Borders is a collective art project between adult artists and the children photographed. The project captures the kinetic energy of freedom and the desire to connect with the community. Public transportation shares this value of free movement.
The group meets Wednesday evening on Peachtree street to play and get to know each other. Jamo Filston is the primary artist and photographer. He is a Winston-Salem Fellow. Phillip Summers hosts the Wednesday gathering and has done extensive research on migration and his neighbors from Guerrero Mexico. Ashlyn Hodges is a Winston-Salem fellow who is interested in social justice and Hispanic populations.
