“The strongest connection I have with China, my native land, is through my parents. I have seen the pain of leaving their beloved land upon which their memories are deeply rooted. I have seen their struggles to learn the English language and to survive in America. But I have also been witness to the joys of accomplishment, not only for myself, but for my family as well. We bring our culture with us and share it. Truly, it has been a bittersweet journey,” says teenager Lili Shek. Shek and 50 other teens are the subject of photographer Barbara Beirne’s recent survey of new immigrants’ experiences. Some stories sparkle with optimism: “Now I can go to school. This country is good,” proclaims Diana Ingabire, 15. Other comments reflect the hardships of being culturally different. “After the terrible events at the World Trade Center,” 16-year-old Sohale Mehrmanesh muses, “I’m afraid that all Arab people will be suspected of terrorism.” Many of the teens offer poignant observations about their new country. “I was surprised that there were so many homeless people living in this city. How could this happen in America?” asks Guinea native Mawa Fofana, 17. Beirne’s interest in immigration began in 1999 with a photography assignment to document Kosovar Albanian refugees airlifted from overcrowded camps in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to military housing at Fort Dix, New Jersey. In time, Beirne managed to make friends with a few Kosovars who were very happy to be in America, but the photographer admits that she was “overwhelmed with concern” about the immigrants’ uncertain futures in the U.S. One by one, the newcomers moved out of the camp, leaving Beirne to ponder how they would adapt to life in this country. Attempting to answer that question and document the shared hopes and challenges of the newest citizens, Beirne began interviewing and photographing immigrant teenagers from all parts of the globe. Beirne, whose celebrated photographic exhibition Serving Home and Community: Women of Southern Appalachia ended its SITES tour in 2003, has selected approximately 50 black-and-white photographs, accompanied by the teens’ thought-provoking comments, for this new exhibition. Visually and intellectually stimulating, Becoming American: Teenagers and Immigration offers a sensitive starting point for discussions about immigration, public perception, and cultural diversity. >>Find out more about Barbara Beirne

Contents	Approximately 50 black-and-white photographs, labels with teenagers' commentary, text panels
Supplemental	Educational and promotional resources, speaker list, bibliography
Participation Fee	$6,500 for a 10-week booking period
Size	200 running feet (60 running meters)
Crates	To be determined
Weight	To be determined
Category	History & Culture
Security	Moderate
Shipping	Outgoing
SITES Contacts	Ed Liskey to schedule, 202.633.3142 Marcie Hocking for content, 202.633.3112
Tour Begins	March 10, 2007

Dates		Host Institution	Status
3/10/2007	6/3/2007	Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Immigration Museum, New York, NY	Booked
6/23/2007	9/2/2007	Cantigny Park Visitor's Center, Wheaton, IL	Booked
9/22/2007	12/2/2007	National Steinbeck Center Museum, Salinas, CA	Booked
12/22/2007	3/2/2008	History San Jose, San Jose, CA	Booked
3/22/2008	6/1/2008	Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma, WA	Booked
6/21/2008	8/31/2008	New Americans Museum, San Diego, CA	Booked
9/20/2008	3/1/2009	Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA	Booked
3/21/2009	5/31/2009		Call for Availability
6/20/2009	8/30/2009	Museo Alameda, San Antonio, TX	Booked
9/19/2009	2/28/2010	National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, OH	Booked
3/20/2010	5/30/2010	Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR	Booked
6/19/2010	8/29/2010		Call for Availability
9/18/2010	11/28/2010	Central Florida Community College, Ocala, FL	Booked
12/18/2010	2/27/2011		Call for Availability

Becoming American: Teenagers & Immigration Exhibition Catalogue Exhibitors receive limited copies of Barbara Beirne's 20-page companion book for educational use. Containing reproductions of 15 of the exhibition's photographs, with accompanying interview excerpts and introductory text, additional copies are available directly from the photographer at beirnebj1@mac.com.
	© Barbara Beirne

1.18.2007 Media only: Jennifer Schommer (202) 633-3121 Faces and Stories of Immigration Explored in New Smithsonian Traveling Photography Exhibition “My parents’ sole reason to emigrate from Barbados to the United States was to give my brother and me more opportunities and a better life. They have made many sacrifices, and I hope to make them proud and never let them down.”— Ishmael Alleyne, age 17 Alleyne is one of 59 teenagers who participated in photographer Barbara Beirne’s study of recent immigrants’ experiences. In a new traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian, black-and-white photo-interviews—photographic portraits captioned by the subjects’ own words—offer a thought-provoking starting point for exploring immigration, acculturation and cultural diversity. “Becoming American: Teenagers & Immigration” will premiere in New York City March 10, 2007 at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum—a part of the National Park Service’s Statue of Liberty National Monument. It will be on view through June 3, 2007. Developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the exhibition will travel around the country on a national tour through 2011. “The young people presented in this exhibit give evidence that America, the land of immigrants, continues to attract courageous newcomers seeking freedom and opportunities,” stated Beirne. “These teenagers, who have struggled with the difficulties that accompany enormous change, bring with them the strength and determination needed to become an essential part of their adopted land. I look forward to watching their futures unfold.” Beirne’s images capture first-generation immigrants and children of immigrants, revealing a diverse array of teenage responses to the immigrant experience. By photographing her subjects in their own communities—on a basketball court, at a place of worship, in a parent’s shop, at school and within their homes—she presents sensitive portraits, which give viewers an opportunity to better understand the complexity of the newcomers’ lives. The accompanying narratives bring a vivid reality to the immigrant experience. Some stories are brimming with optimism: “Now I can go to school. This country is good,” proclaims Diana Ingabire, 15. Other comments reflect the hardships of being culturally different: “After the terrible events at the World Trade Center,” 16-year-old Sohale Mehrmanesh muses, “I’m afraid that all Arab people will be suspected of terrorism.” Many of the teens offer poignant observations about their new country. “I was surprised that there were so many homeless people living in this city. How could this happen in America?” asks Guinea native Mawa Fofana, 17. Beirne’s interest in immigration began in 1999 with a photography assignment to document Kosovar Albanian refugees airlifted from overcrowded camps in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to military housing at Fort Dix, New Jersey. In time, Beirne managed to make friends with a few Kosovars who were relieved to find sanctuary in America, but the photographer admits that she was “overwhelmed with concern” about the immigrants’ uncertain futures in the United States. One by one, the newcomers moved out of the camp, leaving Beirne to ponder how they would adapt to life in this country. Attempting to answer that question and document the shared hopes and challenges of these youths, Beirne began interviewing and photographing immigrant teenagers from countries around the world Barbara Beirne has worked as a documentary photographer for more than 25 years.  She has photographed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, India, Nepal and Ecuador. Her photographs have been widely exhibited in museums and galleries. Among her projects in the United States are photographs of women in Southern Appalachia. The images were featured in the well-received SITES exhibition “Serving Home and Community: Women of Southern Appalachia.” Beirne holds a masters degree in photography from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.  SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 50 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. Exhibition descriptions and tour schedules are available at www.sites.si.edu.