What's Your Origin Story?
The Origin Stories Project brings together storytelling and art in a collaborative social experience. UC Merced students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to create Origin Story Boxes — personal artworks assembled with meaningful personal items and paired with short audio recordings — that reflect the moments, memories, and experiences that shaped who you are.
These powerful creations will be featured in an exhibition at the UC Merced Art Gallery from October 2 – December 12, 2025.
About the Project
The Origin Stories Project asks participants to explore their own identities through story and art. Each participant creates a highly personalized art box that brings their personal story to life, or records a short audio story (about three minute long), or both! Together, these boxes will form an exhibition of resilience, identity, and shared humanity.
Stories may reflect:
- Experiences of Arrival – migration and belonging in new places.
- Experiences of Legacy – voices of family and ancestors.
- Experiences of Revelation – identity awakenings, including LGBTQ+ stories
- Experiences of Adversity – overcoming struggle and finding resilience.
Why Participate?
- Express yourself through the creative process of storytelling and art.
- See your work featured in an exhibition at the UC Merced Art Gallery.
- Connect with others and discover the common threads that unite us as a community.
How to Get Involved
- Introductory Meeting & Box Creation Workshop – Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at UC Merced's Social Sciences & Management Building, Room 125 (Art Studio)
- Box Delivery Date: Friday, September 26, 2025, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at UC Merced's Social Sciences & Management Building, Room 125 (Art Studio)
- Opening Reception: Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the UC Merced Art Gallery (SSM 106)
Sign Up to Participage: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/89apwq4dPH
Questions? Email arts@ucmerced.edu
Learn More
The Origin Stories Project was founded by Saffron Communities and is being presented at UC Merced in collaboration with UC Merced Arts. To learn more about hte national project, visit: saffroncommunities.com/originstories
