A yearlong series of exhibitions and programs considers the idea that where we come from, and where we are now, can become rich places for us to understand where we could go.

The phrase “this is where I’m coming from” is often used to convey a particular point of view, suggesting an expression of individual outlook and inviting connection, empathy, and understanding. The relationship between place and perspective is implied in this statement, as is the hope to reach common ground.

This Is Where I’m Coming From proposes that, although people come from different places, artists can create spaces for connectivity and shared experience. It considers how place—whether a city, home, memory, or even a fantasy—can serve as a point of relationship building.

Through dance, photography, painting, video, and sculpture, the featured artists’ works address: How does connection to a place shape who we are? How does place impact our understanding of the world and our place in it? When you feel “placeless,” how do you create a place or connect to a place?

Some of the artists begin with the concept of homeland as a physical location or as an aspirational idea. They explore the act of defining a home as one of honoring where origin stories arise, where memories emerge, and where traditions are shaped. Others reflect on travel, where community is built through appreciation of historic sites and architectural wonders.

Throughout the series, the works of art invite conversation and reflection on how a region’s ecosystems, aesthetic traditions, and ways of communicating establish a sense of belonging, tell histories, and offer insight.