Connecticut artist Ricky Mestre talks with friend and New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Patrick Dunn about the role art plays in their lives. They explore queer art as a genre and how art has the power to reflect a community.

“I enjoy the arts so much that I want to be around all of it.” – Ricky Mestre

Credits:
Interview Facilitated by: StoryCorps Mobile Tour
Connecticut Public Producers: J Holt, Megan Fitzgerald, Catie Talarski
Music by: Niamh

This conversation was recorded in 2021. 

For more, visit StoryCorps CT

Connecticut artist Ricky Mestre talks with friend and New Haven Pride Center Executive Director Patrick Dunn about the role art plays in their lives. They explore queer art as a genre and how art has the power to reflect a community.
“I enjoy the arts so much that I want to be around all of it.” – Ricky Mestre
Credits:
<ul>
<li>Interview Facilitated by: <a href="https://storycorps.org/mobile-tour/">StoryCorps Mobile Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/">Connecticut Public</a> Producers: J Holt, Megan Fitzgerald, Catie Talarski</li>
<li>Music by: <a href="https://funnybonerecords.com/niamh/">Niamh</a></li>
</ul>
This conversation was recorded in 2021. 
For more, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">StoryCorps CT</a>

Connecticut Public teamed up with the StoryCorps Mobile Tour to record interviews of people from all backgrounds across our state. StoryCorps has facilitated thousands of conversations across the globe, teaching the value of listening and demonstrating that everyone's story matters. StoryCorps CT is a collection of these local conversations edited by Connecticut Public.

Connecticut Public teamed up with the StoryCorps Mobile Tour to record interviews of people from all backgrounds across our state. StoryCorps has facilitated thousands of conversations across the globe, teaching the value of listening and demonstrating that everyone's story matters. StoryCorps CT is a collection of these local conversations edited by Connecticut Public.

StoryCorps CT

“Creating something out of nothing is what art is”

In this conversation, lifelong friends Maerie and Roberta honor the memories of their mothers, Mildred and Alberta, the deep bond between all four of them, and what amazing women they were. They also share the supportive role that Al-Anon played in all their lives. 

“Had I not had your mom, I don’t know what path I would have taken.” - Meari

“Blessed are thou that we had our moms and that we have each other.” - Roberta

Hear Mearie and Roberta's full conversation in the StoryCorps Archive.

For more about StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.

In this conversation, lifelong friends Maerie and Roberta honor the memories of their mothers, Mildred and Alberta, the deep bond between all four of them, and what amazing women they were. They also share the supportive role that Al-Anon played in all their lives. 
“Had I not had your mom, I don’t know what path I would have taken.” - Meari
“Blessed are thou that we had our moms and that we have each other.” - Roberta
Hear Mearie and Roberta's full conversation in the <a href="https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/meari-avery-and-roberta-solimene/">StoryCorps Archive</a>.
For more about StoryCorps CT, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">ctpublic.org/storycorpsct</a>.

“Blessed are thou that we had our moms."

Sandra and Doreen both immigrated from Barbados to the U.S. in their youth and share two share very different experiences of coming to North America. Doreen also explains how she never felt confident putting roots down here.

“I have to say I was initially very impressed. I  was a very curious child, so I was looking around, I was like, I love the lights. There was so much to like.” - Sandra 

“Clearly, I’m still here. And so, at some point, I’m going to have to own this American self.” - Doreen

Hear their full interview in the StoryCorps Archive.

For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.

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Sandra and Doreen both immigrated from Barbados to the U.S. in their youth and share two share very different experiences of coming to North America. Doreen also explains how she never felt confident putting roots down here.
“I have to say I was initially very impressed. I  was a very curious child, so I was looking around, I was like, I love the lights. There was so much to like.” - Sandra 
“Clearly, I’m still here. And so, at some point, I’m going to have to own this American self.” - Doreen
Hear their full interview in the <a href="https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/sandra-taitt-eaddy-and-doreen-richardson/">StoryCorps Archive</a>.
For more on StoryCorps CT, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.</a>
W7Bv9J4JkH70C2XGbeFG

Coming from 166 square miles

Andrea Rapacz talks with Lydia Mele about her parent's love story and the impact Lydia's mother, Olga Mele, had on their family and the Hispanic community in the Hartford area. You'll hear about her early involvement in the San Juan Center and her tireless efforts to support the people in her community. Lydia told Andrea, “Mom inspired everyone to reach their highest potential, including me.”

“Her main mission was to help people find jobs, get educated, and empower them to help themselves.” - Lydia Mele

“He always said my mother was his salvation.” - Lydia Mele (referencing a story about her father)

Hear the full interview in the StoryCorps Archive.

For more on StoryCorps CT, visit ctpublic.org/storycorpsct.

Andrea Rapacz talks with Lydia Mele about her parent's love story and the impact Lydia's mother, Olga Mele, had on their family and the Hispanic community in the Hartford area. You'll hear about her early involvement in the San Juan Center and her tireless efforts to support the people in her community. Lydia told Andrea, “Mom inspired everyone to reach their highest potential, including me.”
“Her main mission was to help people find jobs, get educated, and empower them to help themselves.” - Lydia Mele
“He always said my mother was his salvation.” - Lydia Mele (referencing a story about her father)
Hear the full interview in the <a href="https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/lydia-mele-and-andrea-rapacz/#transcript">StoryCorps Archive</a>.
For more on StoryCorps CT, visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/listen/storycorps-ct">ctpublic.org/storycorpsct</a>.

“Creating something out of nothing is what art is”

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