Gainesville’s creative community came together to share personal experiences through storytelling Thursday night at the Civic Media Center.
StudioCo.de = Narrations, an open-mic style event, encouraged students and professionals to experience personal narratives and make meaningful connections. The event brought people of all different backgrounds, including guest storyteller and local artist Vivian Filer, 76.
Filer, a Santa Fe College nursing department retiree, shared her personal experience with segregation and later integration at Gainesville’s original Lincoln High School.
“If you’re white, you’re alright. If you’re brown, stick around. If you’re black, stay back,” Filer said during her narrative.
One of the event organizers, Sarah Vidal-Finn, worked on the production side of the event, finding the venue and helping conceptualize the night.
“At our events, you never know who is going to show up,” Vidal-Finn said.
The evening continued with other speakers sharing stories on leadership, racism, sexism and sexuality.
From the audience, Lauren Jadotte listened to their stories.
Jadotte, a 23-year-old UF journalism senior, said it is a good networking opportunity and a chance to collaborate.
“It’s just a way for me to kind of get to know what’s going on in the community and hopefully find mentors through it.”
[A version of this story ran on page 13 on 10/17/2014]
