Community in Action

The art of solidarity

In the face of tragedy and injustice, art can provide a pathway for healing and a catalyst for change. Around the state, artists of all kinds have been finding creative ways to put their passions to work for Maine’s immigrant justice movement. Thank you to all the artists and community members continuing to come together to create art, support each other, and stand alongside immigrant communities in Maine.

 
 

Following the murder of Johan in Biddeford, three local artists, Ryan Adams, Rachel Gloria Adams, and Erica Sedler, collaborated to paint a mural to honor and commemorate Johan’s life. The mural, depicting Johan with his 3-year-old daughter surrounded by flowers, has brought the community together in grief and in protest.

Here are a few of the many ways artists and musicians have been using art to resist injustice, build community, and directly support ILAP’s work:

 

Local author Eleanor Morse was driven by anguish during Trump’s first term to begin writing a novel, This Foreign Land, that follows families separated at the southern border and moves between Maine, Texas, and Ecuador. Eleanor launched her novel this summer and has been generously donating a portion of the proceeds from her book events to ILAP.

 

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick closed out its 2025-2026 Concerts for a Cause season with $10,949 raised across nine performances, split between Oasis Free Clinics and ILAP. Susan Michaud, chairperson of the Concert Committee said, “This season’s charity choices were unanimous. The services that ILAP and Oasis provide are critical during these challenging times.” Read the full story here.

 

In Hollis, Earth and Soul Pottery hosted its first outdoor fundraiser this August, bringing together great food, great music, and great art. The proceeds of the silent art auction of pottery and metal wall art were generously donated to ILAP.

More ways Mainers are showing up for ILAP:

  • Voices from the Heart women’s chorus, featuring singers from Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, held their spring concert in June and chose ILAP as this year’s beneficiary through a member vote.

  • Singing Resistance Bangor and Women with Wings came together to host a community singalong, with a silent auction to raise money for ILAP's work.

  • The band Bold Riley performed at the UCC North Windham Church as part of the church’s concert series, with proceeds shared between the church, the band, and ILAP.

  • Maddy Riker of Maddy.Riker.Wellness and Tania Zuckerman of Spiraldance Breathwork hosted a collaborative Breathwork and Sound Bath session for ILAP staff in July, creating an opportunity for staff to pause, recharge, and connect.

  • ILAP staff tabled at a Lake Street Dive concert fundraiser, talking with concertgoers about ILAP's work and how to get involved. Our thanks to the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition and REVERB for the invitation!

  • The Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick and Woodfords Congregational Church of Portland hosted a concert to benefit ILAP, bringing together music, poetry, and dance from Maine artists of many cultural backgrounds.

 

If you’re interested in putting your skills and creativity to work for the immigrant justice movement in Maine, we’d love to hear from you!
Reach out with your ideas and information about upcoming events at contact@ilapmaine.org.

Contact@ILAP Maine