The Passions Movement

Thank you to all who support #THEPASSIONSMOVEMENT!

HAPPENING NOW! Caden Klamut's passion for birding is on display in a one-of-a-kind portrait series alongside 19 other incredibly talented @racineunified students from @casehighschool and @waldeniii at @cityofRacine Festival Hall today from 3-6pm. This free event is open to the public, and light refreshments will be served while guests are invited to view the images and hear from the students and art activist photographer Heidi @hwagsphoto, in person. Like, share, and see you there! THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT embodies the work of THE PASSIONS PROJECT, a collection of photos created by nationally recognized photographer and art activist Heidi Wagner. The mission of THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT is to combine art with individuals’ stories to create a new narrative around living with passion and purpose inclusive of all races, creeds, genders and gender identity. Through photography, public art installations, digital engagement and community impact, the project provides a dynamic platform to ignite social change through increasing community awareness, connection, inclusion, education and visibility.

The excitement is palpable! In just a few hours, creator of THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT, Heidi Wagner, will debut 20 new portraits of @racineunified students from @casehighschool and @waldeniii at the Gallery Event for THE PASSIONS PROJECT: Racial & Social Justice - Racine. In partnership with the National Education Association (NEA Today @neatoday), the largest labor union in the United States, Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC @myweac) and Racine Educators United (Rea-Reaa Unity @reareaaunity), its local affiliate, art activist Heidi Wagner @hwagsphoto captures the stories and passions of local public school students from Case High School @casehighschool & Walden III @waldeniiischool in an art-based, community-impact photo installation sponsored by the educators’ union and organized by the Case student organizing committee.

Today is the day!!! THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT Racial & Social Justice Racine 2024 Gallery Event officially launches at 3pm today at Racine Festival Hall at 3pm. Come for the portraits of students excited about their passions like Andres Martinez, stay to hear directly from the students and photographer @hwagsphoto directly. We'll see you in a few hours...

Saving the world through environmental sustainability is a passion @jamillahjallow has embraced wholeheartedly, and we were thrilled to meet her and learn more about her aspirations. Jamiliah's official portrait in THE PASSIONS PROJECT: Racial & Social Justice Racine 2024 will debut tomorrow at Festival Hall in a new Gallery Event from 3-6pm. Attendance is free and open to the public at the link in bio- join us for light art, conversations, and light refreshments In partnership with the National Education Association (NEA Today @neatoday), the largest labor union in the United States, Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC @myweac) and Racine Educators United (Rea-Reaa Unity @reareaaunity), its local affiliate, art activist Heidi Wagner @hwagsphoto captures the stories and passions of local public school students from Case High School @casehighschool & Walden III @waldeniiischool in an art-based, community-impact photo installation. THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT Racial & Social Justice Racine 2024 portraits will be unveiled at a Gallery Event reception on June 1, 2024 at Racine Festival Hall from 3-6pm, sponsored by the educators’ union and organized by the Case student organizing committee. Reserve your free tickets today! bit.ly/rsjracine2024 (link in bio) THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT embodies the work of THE PASSIONS PROJECT, a collection of photos created by nationally recognized photographer and art activist Heidi Wagner. The mission of THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT is to combine art with individuals’ stories to create a new narrative around living with passion and purpose inclusive of all races, creeds, genders and gender identity. Through photography, public art installations, digital engagement and community impact, the project provides a dynamic platform to ignite social change through increasing community awareness, connection, inclusion, education and visibility.

High school student Sawyer Donovan's passion for photography comes through whether he is behind the lens or in front of the camera! His portrait by Heidi Wagner will be on display tomorrow afternoon at the debut of THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT Racial & Social Justice - Racine Gallery Event. Have you reserved your free tickets, yet? Link in bio.

Softball is Torin Slaughter's @torin_.s passion, and we are excited for the debut of her portrait alongside other @racineunified students' images from @casehighschool and @waldeniii tomorrow! Join us and register for free at the link in our bio or on the event page on Facebook.

Esports is a form of competition using video games quickly growing in popularity around the world. Esports often takes the form of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, players like Kyle Branksi @kylebrL are passionate about connecting and competing with others to showcase their skills. @hwagsphoto and THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT are excited to invite you to see Kyle's portrait and those of other passionate students from @casehighschool and @waldeniii at a free Gallery Event sponsored by @neatoday @myweac and @reareaaunity tomorrow, Saturday, June 1, from 3-6pm at Racine Festival Hall. Click on the link in our bio or visit us on Facebook to register!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 30, 2024 THE PASSIONS PROJECT | Racial & Social Justice Racine?Gallery Event? Racine, WI – A Gallery Event reception featuring portraits of thirty students from Case High School and Walden III will be held this Saturday, June 1, from 3pm-6pm in Downtown Racine at Festival Hall, 5 Fifth St, Racine, WI 53403.?THE PASSIONS PROJECT | Racial & Social Justice (RSJ) Racine?is a collaboration between Heidi Wagner, local art activist, and the National Education Association (NEA), the largest labor union in the United States, Racine Educators United (REU), its local affiliate. The event sponsored by the educators’ union (NEA/REU) is organized by a Case High School student organizing committee and their union teacher advisors. Given the direct attacks against public school students and educators across the country, as evidenced by legislative efforts to institutionalize voucher programs and privatize the public school system, it is urgent to create safe spaces in which public school students can tell their stories. According to REU President, Angelina Cruz, “Public schools are the cornerstone of our democracy. THE PASSIONS PROJECT | RSJ Racine shines a light on the human impact of the subversive efforts of lawmakers to dismantle the entire public school system.”?? The exhibit combines art with the stories of public-school students to help raise awareness and provide opportunities for community-based dialogue and education centered on racial and social justice to support the work of building and defending safe, inclusive schools. “Since I started THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT in 2011, it has always been a goal to amplify the voices of those who are often unseen and unheard. Partnering with the local educators’ union afforded me the opportunity to work with students,” said Wagner, creator of?THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT. “When you see people engaged in their passion you no longer see how they are different from you. You see a way to connect.” The community is welcome to the Gallery Event unveiling on Saturday, June 1 from 3pm-6pm, hosted at Festival Hall, which is located at 5 Fifth St, Racine, WI 53403. Tickets for the Gallery Event can be reserved for free at?bit.ly/rsjracine2024. Photo copyright Heidi Wagner Photography/THE PASSIONS MOVEMENT ### Racine Educators United is a member-driven organization consisting of teachers and educational support personnel in the public schools of the Racine Unified School District and, by extension, the nearly 20,000 students and their families they serve. REU works collectively with community members to improve teaching and learning conditions to ensure every child can attend a high-quality public school.

Dr. Michael Scott, Senior Policy Analyst at National Education Association was interviewed by Reina Spicka, and he shared that he is passionate about teaching and encouraging students to pursue their academic and extracurricular aspirations. Join us on Saturday, June 1, 2024 for a free Gallery Event and portrait unveiling the myriad of passions of students from Case High School and Walden III High School created by Heidi Wagner Photography at City of Racine Festival Hall from 3pm-6pm. Link to register: bit.ly/rsjracine2024