sara faraj will lead this workshop and guide participants in the process of setting intentions for the future through writing, painting, and planting. Participants will be given paper and writing utensils for the writing activity. Plants, pots, paint for pots, and soil will be provided for the planting activity.
Limited to: 15 participants
For questions or to request accessibility accommodations, contact Félix Zamora-Gómez at felixzg@umich.edu.
sara m. faraj (she/her) is an Arab American who is part of the diaspora Indigenous to modern-day southern Lebanon; she is a participatory action researcher, environmentalist, and independent photojournalist in southeast Michigan. Her work aims to support social infrastructure in the built environment through preserving culture in place, cultivating accessible food systems, and facilitating emancipatory processes that aim to recenter community visions and voices in planning. faraj is also passionate about understanding how to support and bolster grassroots planning processes to promote growth for creators and culture makers, Black-, Brown-, and Indigenous-owned small businesses, and community leaders who strengthen the foundation and scaffolding of communities.
faraj is an alumna of the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and the Urban Studies and Planning Honor program at Wayne State University, where she received a Minor in Urban Sustainability.
Former and current research endeavors include public health law solutions for environmental injustice in southeast Michigan, sustainable food procurement policy for institutions, global eviction and housing policy to address homelessness, Indigenous food systems and management, sustainable land use, community development strategies to combat gentrification, and more. Through further research and strategy formulation, sara hopes to support the cultivation of more equitable and sustainable systems so cities/communities can better withstand imminent climate change and social shifts.
The Arts Initiative, in partnership with Wolverine Wellness, is launching a series of free art-making workshops for the Take Care AY 2024-25 focus. These workshops are an opportunity to create art, brush up on dance techniques, and other artistic forms. No prior experience is required. Led by local and regional artists, the workshops are open to the entire U-M and local community. All supplies necessary will be provided at the workshop.