Girasol O’Neill (right) with Dream Project Executive Director, Karen Vallejos, painting the Project Illumination mural
Meet Girasol
My name is Girasol [Hee-rah-sol] O’Neill, and I am a Dream Project alumni, GMU graduate, and current art instructor. I immigrated to the US with my family when I was four years old, and the two things that dominated my thoughts for the rest of my childhood were: that I was stuck in undocumented limbo and that I loved making art. When I became a Dream Project Mentee, my life changed dramatically- not only academically but also in how I navigate the world. I entered this program as a quiet and nervous undocumented student. I knew little more than that I wanted to continue my studies but felt very trapped politically and socially by my immigration status. The mentors at the Dream Project were the first people I could authentically share my status with; I knew they weren’t going to turn it into a debate about my humanity or whether I was worthy of justice. I had begun making artwork with social justice themes before becoming a mentee, but until then, I had kept my conversation topics away from immigration due to fear. The Dream Project opened the floodgates for me, and I began to be able to create work that I was genuinely passionate about, and that pushed me to connect with others on a deeper level. I am now a citizen, but immigration and social justice themes remain driving forces in my art. Project Illumination is my latest series stemming from these themes.
Project Illumination
In 2021, I became one of two Arlington AWARE Grant recipients. The Grant funds underrepresented and minority artists, allowing me to begin crafting my idea, named Project Illumination, around the sharing of immigrant experiences. No one piece of work can ever capture how complex- and at times contradictory- our stories are, so I divided my series into two components: a public community mural and ten intimate portraits of real immigrant families and individuals. Four immigrant-centered organizations are creating the butterfly-shaped community mural in NOVA through several art-making sessions. Chaotic and vibrant, the mural captures the raw energy and fun of creating art as a group and celebrating our diversity together. In a different tone, the portraits tackle more personal themes like family unity, legacy, and emotional hardships that some of us have experienced along our immigrant journeys. Authenticity is a priority for the work in Project Illumination, so I extended a lot of power in the creative process to those represented. Each portrait begins with interviews with each participant, where we discuss what aspects of their stories they want to share and how they wish to be depicted.
Join In Girasol’s Work
At the Dream Project Holiday Celebration, attendees will have a chance to see Girasol’s mural and portrait work in process. Members of the Dream Project community will also be able to add (non-paint!) elements to the mural itself. Don’t miss your opportunity to leave your mark on an amazing piece of art.
Giraso’l’s Project Illumination is a series of art pieces dedicated to sharing authentic and complex representation of the immigrant experience. The community butterfly mural is an integral part of Project Illumination because it allows the public to share the magic of making and sharing art together. Each of the four butterfly wings was divided between different immigrant-centered organizations in Northern Virginia: GMU’S FirstGen+ office, Salud Nova, Arlington Community centers, and the Dream Project.
We are honored to count Girasol as a Dream Project alum- our world is made better when everyone is given the chance to succeed.
