The public humanities are all about gathering in community with one another and storytelling. We couldn’t think of a better way to end the year than by inviting a small group of Expand Massachusetts Stories grantees (all based in Western Massachusetts) to our headquarters in Holyoke and doing exactly that.
A special thank you to Historic Deerfield, Historic Northampton, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Valley Arts Mentors, Michelle Falcón-Fontánez, Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed, and Nueva Esperanza, as well as Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia and State Representative Pat Duffy, for attending our event.
“Promises of the Revolution”
The focus of our discussion with grantees was on the nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026. For all of our grantees, the American Revolution and its aftermath poses complex questions, all of which are being explored through innovative projects ranging from oral histories and documentary films to storycircles, community exhibitions, and artist showcases.
“I’m Indigenous Californian in descent. When I think about the revolution, it’s odd. I’m thinking about a time period in which where I live and where I’m from was actually not even part of this country,” said Jason Montgomery, founder of 50 Arrow Gallery and Attack Bear Press, and also a collaborator on Valley Arts Mentors’ EMS project. “And, what does that mean as a person who comes to the United States with kind of a full account of its history? And, a full accounting of its history as a nation in relationship to the territory in which I’m from? One of the things that was really interesting to me…was how the feelings around the Unites States, and particularly American exceptionalism, have changed in our community over the generations.”
Valley Arts Mentors will develop “Revolutionary Art Stories: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Equity,” in 2026, including a mentorship cohort, exhibit, community celebration and documentary film project inspired by artwork created by participants.
“Because I believe in the very idea of having no kings, being able to self-govern, practice the democratic process, and trying to work toward perfecting it—so that we’re being better stewards of that very idea—it’s a great deal.”—Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia
In addition to recognizing EMS grantees for their public humanities work, Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia shared a few words about the nation’s 250th: “Fast forward today and it certainly has evolved to a great extent, but there’s still so much more work to do. We still have inequity issues. We still have lack of representation.” Despite these disparities, said Garcia, he remains confident in the democratic process and the resilience of communities like Holyoke.
For multidisciplinary artist Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed, the coming year is an opportunity for invitation and connection. Goodspeed, a founding member of Ohketeau Cultural Center, is involved in several EMS projects in 2026. In collaboration with Historic Northampton, Goodspeed will develop a play about Indigenous families in Western Massachusetts amid the social and military chaos of the American Revolution. With Ohketeau Cultural Center, she will provide support for a series of story circles dedicated to Indigenous issues and stories from the American Revolution.
“As we sit in these circles with each other and have those freeform conversations, we hope it becomes a safe space to connect,” she said. “And, a safe space for the audience to engage with Indigenous people and Indigenous stories, and ask questions, hopefully with good intentions, that they may not get to ask otherwise.”
Carrying Stories Forward
Michelle Falcón-Fontánez, a filmmaker based in Holyoke, is a recipient of a “Story Forward” EMS grant. In 2026, she will focus on expanding the reach of her three-part documentary film, “Ashes in My Neighborhood.” The film series follows the experiences of Maria Salgado Cartagena, a Puerto Rican historian and lifelong resident of Holyoke, as she explores the long-term impacts of the 1970s South Holyoke fires.
“Maria trusted us in telling this story,” said Falcón-Fontánez. “I feel really honored to be part of that as a filmmaker. I think just being a documentarian, or an artist in general, you have to be conscious of the fact that, when people are telling you stories, or being vulnerable in that way, it’s your responsibility to be really sensitive.”
Watch the teaser for “Ashes in My Neighborhood” below.
