During our First Person Museum Planning Meeting in May, participants -including Lise Funderberg, author and FPA writing workshop leader- went around the room and shared stories about objects that have resonated with them. Samara Freemark from Radio Diaries shared the story of a well-worn atlas, Iris from Norris Square opened up about the handmade straw dolls she grew up with in Puerto Rico.

In the above video, Lise shares her ‘trash-picking find’ of a woman’s discarded sewing materials- and how her discovery of their shared hobby connected them, despite their many differences. She talks about how the objects in our lives connect us beyond the physical level- representing shared experiences that can transcend often daunting barriers. The lesson she takes away from this woman’s treasure, and one that we hope to expand upon in the First Person Museum, is learning how to appreciate each other. What might at first be considered life’s ‘mundane debris’ can also contain the transformative potential to unify and bond us to one another.

What objects have spoken to you? Tell us about them at next Wednesday’s First Person Museum StoryCircle. Get more details and RSVP here.
-Morgan Berman

Check out the Art Sanctuary’s 26th Annual Festival of Black Writing Festival from today through Saturday at Temple University Main Campus. Enjoy inspiring workshops and panel discussions, family activities, powerful performances, a book fair with author signings, food, crafts— and a few words from Mayor Michael Nutter. Plus the first object collection events for the First Person Museum! And its all free!


Here’s footage from last years festival…



For the family there are kid-friendly readings, entertainment, face painting and workshops for kids and teens. Adults can take part in a variety of workshops from how to get your poetry published to becoming a successful freelance writer, or panel discussions ranging from blogging to sci-fi to the LGBTQ Community.

And First Person is getting in the act too! We’ll be collecting objects for the First Person Museum at two festival workshops on Saturday: Through the Bars: A Workshop on Objects and Memorials for People Affected by Incarceration led by Dee Johnson and Angel Hogan and Objects, Memory and Story: Transform Your Stories into Writing led by Lise Funderberg. Objects, Memory and Story is currently sold-out online but walk-ins are welcome. Both workshops are at Ritter Hall Annex and you can register here.


These are the first two of many collection events throughout the summer for the First Person Museum and we want YOUR stories and objects . Keep checking the First Person Museum page for updates on how you can get involved, either at one of our collection events or via online submissions.


-Tiffany Thwaites