With this series of “Quince” events, we bring communities together and allow them to find joy in celebration, while also challenging their beliefs and bringing them closer in a time of such distance. The community in Bushwick was hit hard by COVID-19, but through these events we’ve been able to see the direct impact of bringing music, dancing, food, and so much more into the community. Art helps our community heal by bringing them together to celebrate, and by creating a safe space for artists and vendors who have been impacted heavily by the pandemic. We’ve partnered with a number of community organizations including the People’s Garden, a community garden which practices food justice and serves as a meeting ground for artists and activists; the Street Vendor Project, which advocates for the rights of street vendors; and OYE! Group, an arts organization that seeks to spark a dialogue over political and social issues critical to their community’s growth and the Bushwick Starr one of the leading independent theaters in Brooklyn. Through these collaborations, we are able to engage the heavily Latinx community in Bushwick, Brooklyn and forge deeper connections through a series of community events which include live music, poetry, indigenous ceremonies, food, dancing, giveaways for children and adults, and arts activities that center Latin American culture. As we have already held a few of these events, future fundraising will go toward being able to expand and continue this work. We want “Quince” to feel like a festival of culture and community, rather than a theatre show, and we want to be able to “pop up” several times a year. We have brought “Quince”  events to a few local sites including the People’s Garden, the Gowanus Dregers Canoe Club, and Maria Hernandez Park, but we know there are so many more possibilities across Brooklyn that will allow us to continue engaging with more members of our communities. All additional funds raised will go directly toward employing artists of color, preserving and highlighting local community spaces, supporting local vendors, and towards creating COVID-safe events that celebrate culture and address the most urgent needs of immigrant communities in Brooklyn.