#WeAreHingham – Join a community dialogue this Sunday

May 21, 2022 by Carol Britton Meyer (photos provided by Brooke Bartletta)

#WeAreHingham is a community project aimed at sparking dialogue and fostering unity “during a time marked by disconnection and trauma”.

This initiative stems from the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, supported and celebrated and is based on love, acceptance, connection, harmony, respect, home, compassion, inclusion , support and kindness.

This project was created by local resident and photographer, Brooke Bartletta, who was inspired by French artist JR’s global initiative Inside Out Project, a platform that helps communities around the world stand up for what they believe in. believe and trigger global change locally.

Although born in the United States, Bartletta – a resident of Hingham for 20 years – describes herself as “a third culture kid who spent much of my childhood abroad”.

Although she has taken photographs most of her life, she started in earnest about 16 years ago with child and family portraits which eventually led to artistic and documentary work.

“I’ve met so many amazing people through #WeAreHingham,” Bartletta said. “I have been privileged to have open, honest and sometimes heartbreaking conversations. Each time I have felt closer and closer to our community. I hope this project will encourage others to have similar conversations and to be open to the possibilities that come next.”

In addition to encouraging dialogue and fostering unity, its intention is “for all [in Hingham] to feel seen, heard and celebrated. We all have something valuable to contribute to the rich fabric of our community.”

Bartletta shared some of her favorite things about Hingham. “I was first drawn to the beauty of the city and its natural vistas. We are so lucky to have access to the beach, parks, farms, etc. and yet to be so close to the city “, she said. “I love that we care deeply about each other, even when we disagree. (I will never take our town meetings for granted.) When the world stopped, the Hinghamites rose to the challenge by taking care of each other and expressing their gratitude to essential workers and first responders. Our local businesses are also showing this support. The Hinghamites have a lot of love to give, and I love it!”

Hingham resident Linda Sturtevant looks at the We Are Hingham banner in downtown Hingham.

#WeAreHingham would not be possible without the support of many local businesses and organizations who have come forward as sponsors, including Assembly Showroom, Derby Street Shops, Clandestine Kitchen, Hingham Unity Council, Hingham Historical Society, Hingham Institution for Savings, Intrinsic Provisions, J| A Living, Krigsman Yoga, Lisa Corrado Design, Salty Days Fish Co., South Shore Conservatory, Untold Brewing, Weston Graphics, White Magdelena House and The Hingham Anchor.

Along with their support, Bartletta credited her teachers, “incredible documentary photographers Mary Beth Meehan and Ruddy Roye, and her classmates from the Social Documentary Network ‘who were there from the start’ of this project.

“Without this course — ‘Breaking and Remaking’ — this project wouldn’t have happened,” she said.

A #WeAreHingham banner will be located behind the Heritage Museum at 34 Main Street during Saturday’s “Springham” event from 2-7 p.m. This celebration is organized by the Historical Society and the Hingham Downtown Association. There is no cost to participate.

#WeAreHingham is partnering with the Hingham Unity Council to host a free community dialogue on Sunday, May 22 at 2 p.m. at the South Shore Conservatory. All who live, work, study and/or worship at Hingham are invited to join the conversation and share their thoughts and experiences within the Hingham community and their hopes for the future.

Participants will break into small moderated groups for open dialogue about their individual and collective experiences, sharing thoughts on topics such as why they chose to live here and their aspirations for the community.

Light bites from Clandestine Kitchen and beer from Untold Brewing will be available for purchase after the discussion. The two companies will donate 25% of event proceeds.

Liora Norwich, Executive Director of the Network for Social Justice, is planning and facilitating this conversation.

Registration is appreciated, but not required. Click here to register: https://hinghamunity.org/event/we-are-hingham/. “Two banners and a total of 42 community members will be on display,” according to Bartletta. “These events came together organically through conversations with attendees and sponsors.”

Bartletta thanked HUC for hosting the Sunday rally, the Historical Society for displaying the banners, Lisa Corrado Design for her help with the graphic design details, and “every participant and sponsor.” All ages are welcome.

For more information on the #WeAreHingham visual project and how to continue to participate by including your likeness, visit www.wearehingham.com.

Organizations interested in getting involved and/or hosting a banner can contact [email protected]. Her work can be seen at www.BrookeBartletta.com.

“This is an ongoing project, and I welcome future collaborations with companies and organizations,” she said. “I’m also very interested in seeing this expand beyond Hingham.”

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