Civic engagement is not just about voting and government—it encompasses all the ways in which individuals take action and get involved in their communities. Inspiring young people to invest in the advancement of society is about empowering children to embrace and recognize the gifts they bring to their communities. Chanel Thervil, Discovery Museum’s Inaugural Artist-in-Residence, will speak about her experience helping children consider what they love about their communities, so they see a place for themselves in making their communities better.

Chanel Thervil is a Haitian American artist and educator who uses varying combinations of abstraction and portraiture to convene communal dialogue around culture, social issues, and existential questions. She’s been making a splash in New England via her educational collaborations, public art, and residencies with institutions that support the uplift of community creativity. She is excited to continue this work through her residency with the Discovery Museum.