Ollin Imagination

Ollin Imagination envisions building a culture of peace, respect, and social justice through the arts and education. Being aware of the power of art to move and heal communities, Ollin uses art forms like theater, dance, spoken word, and music to educate, touch people's lives, and inspire them to engage in social action. Ollin Imagination is a collective of artists, activists, educators, students that shows the intersections of art and politics, nurturing the creativity inside all of us to help liberate our communities and ourselves.

Ollin Imagination formed after the US invasion of Iraq in 2002, with a family day picnic in Prospect Park. Young children and adults came and took a whack at piñatas of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. These piñatas were featured again at a protest in front of a military recruitment center in the Bronx. Ollin also created puppets and banners for the huge protest against the Republican Convention in August, 2004.

Ollin Imagination is currently a performing troop dedicated to raising awareness of the effects of war both at home and abroad through the performance piece: Bruised MangOs: Rhythmic Ammunition por la Paz.” The show is a poetic and musical performance that premiered in June of 2007 as Anti-War Expressions.

Bruised MangOs: Rhythmic Ammunition por la Paz will be premiering on Saturday November 15 at Hunter College. Check our blog for all show dates.

Ollin has also organized two annual Dance for Peace Festivals, which have attracted communities and performers of different backgrounds to take a stand against the current U.S. occupation of Iraq.

Please check out our blog page for more information on our projects and actions.

We are open to any and all people tapping into their own creativity and wanting to use it to promote social change. You do not have to be an "artist" to use art for social change or to be part of our circle. We believe that art does not have to be a privilege for elite groups, and that with a supportive and safe space we can all tap into our creative spirits.

For more information or to join our cultural circle, contact us at ollinimagination@yahoo.com.