What does “home” mean? Is it a place, a feeling, a memory, a sense of belonging, or ...?

Beginning Saturday, June 6, ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum invites the community to explore these questions through The Home Project, a collaborative portrait and storytelling exhibition created by the Heartisan Foundation in partnership with regional artists, nonprofits, and community participants.

Opening Reception — Saturday, June 6

The public is invited to attend the free opening event at ScienceWorks from 4 to 6 PM.

The evening will begin with artist talks and behind-the-scenes footage at 4:30 PM, followed by the opening reception and exhibition viewing from 5 to 6 PM.

Art, Storytelling, and Human Connection

The Home Project is a collaborative portrait and storytelling initiative focused on fostering a culture of belonging in Southern Oregon. Through documentary-style photography, recorded interviews, and artist reinterpretations, the exhibition amplifies voices shaped by housing insecurity, immigration policy, financial hardship, and social marginalization.

The project pairs intimate portrait sessions with conversations about identity, resilience, survival, and the meaning of home. Twelve Oregon artists were then invited to reinterpret these portrait galleries in their own creative styles, transforming lived experiences into collaborative works of art.

“The Home Project involved an immense amount of listening,” says Heartisan founder, Ashland-based photographer Abram Katz. “Every photoshoot was designed to support and honor each participant’s narrative with dignity, care, and mutual respect.”

The creative process itself also became part of the story. Interviews, photography sessions, and artistic collaborations were documented on film and will become a series of short-form videos exploring the social and artistic journey behind the exhibition.

Building Empathy Through Art

The project was inspired in part by Look Me in the Eyes, a collaborative exhibition at the Museum of Art & History in Santa Cruz, California. Witnessing how art and storytelling could shift public perception and challenge implicit bias inspired Katz to expand the idea into a broader exploration of home as both a physical reality and a deeply human experience.

Participating and supporting organizations include Life Art, La Clinica, UNETE Oregon, Friends of the Animals, Heartisan Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, and ScienceWorks.

“This project asks people to slow down, listen, and recognize themselves in one another,” says Katz. “The work is ultimately about smashing biases and creating a felt sense of belonging.”

Stay Curious

At ScienceWorks, we believe that science, art, creativity, and human connection all help us better understand the world — and one another. The Home Project reflects that spirit by inviting visitors to engage with stories that encourage empathy, curiosity, and conversation.

We hope you’ll join us for this powerful opening event and experience the exhibition for yourself.