Oye Group
The Mercedes Healing Room
November 7–19, 2022
The Mercedes Healing Room is a multidisciplinary installation of photography, documentary, and art therapy workshops for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
The project is inspired by Mercedes, the grandmother of Modesto “Flako” Jimenez (Founder & Artistic Director of Oye Group), and her legacy of helping Latine individuals migrate to the United States. After immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Flako was raised by Mercedes in Brooklyn, NY, and as an adult, he served as her main caregiver while she battled dementia.
The Mercedes Healing Room invites those living with dementia and their caregivers to receive community resources and engage in creative self-expression.
Image by Modesto “Flako” Jimenez
The Mercedes Healing Room Gallery
The Mercedes Healing Room Gallery is a dive into the Mercedes story. Integrating interactive augmented reality, video, audio, photography, and family heirlooms, learn about Mercedes’ journey to the United States and her battle with dementia.
Exhibition is open for viewing Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays 10am – 9pm, Tuesdays 10am – 4pm, and Saturdays 3pm – 9pm.
The Mercedes Healing Room Workshop Series
The Mercedes Healing Room Workshop Series are free, 2-hour art workshops for community members with dementia and their caregivers. Led by artists Amanda Everich, Crystal Clarity, Modesto "Flako" Jimenez, Fernando 'Ski' Romero, Sasha Beliakova, Sarah Serrano, Rosana Rodriguez, and Karenly Vega, join us for a relaxed atmosphere to engage in self-care and creative self-expression.
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness with Sarah Serrano: 11 Nov, 11am–1pm
Reflection Cards with Crystal Clarity: 14 Nov, 1–3pm
Tips for Caregivers in Different Stages of Dementia with Karenly Vega: 16 Nov, 1:30pm–3:30pm
Graffiti and Coloring Your City with Fernando ‘Ski’ Romero: 18 Nov, 1–3pm
The Mercedes Healing Room Panel Discussions
The Mercedes Healing Room Panel Discussions are conversations among artists, social workers, doctors and therapists who specialize in mental illness and healthcare.
Mental Health and Holistic Approaches to Healing and Wellness: 7 Nov, 7–9pm
HealthCare: Seniors & Caregivers - How to Understand Home Care and Medicaid Eligibility: 10 Nov, 7–9pm
Memory in Time and Space: 16 Nov, 7:30pm
About
Modesto Flako Jimenez is a Dominican-born, Bushwick-raised theater maker, producer, and educator. ATI Best Actor Award Winner for 2016. HOLA Outstanding Solo Performer for 2017. Flako is best known for original productions and three signature festivals produced with his company Oye Group. Flako has appeared in Early Shaker Spirituals (Wooster Group), Last Night At The Palladium (Bushwick Starr/3LD), Yoleros (Bushwick Starr/IATI theater), Conversations Pt.1: How To Make It Black In America (JACK), Take Me Home (3LD/Incubator Arts Project), Richard Maxwell’s Samara (Soho Rep.), Kaneza Schaal’s Jack & (BAM). Modesto received the 2016 Princess Grace Award Honorarium in Theater.
Oye Group is a 501(C)(3) organization that serves as an incubator for artists both local and immigrant to New York City. We present an eclectic mix of theater, dance, poetry, music, video installations and film, through festivals and productions. We curate work that sparks a dialogue over political and social issues critical to our community’s growth. We work with emerging artists to create, play, and grow in an environment that challenges and supports them. We also provide quality arts education programming that gives our Brooklyn Community the tools to generate forward-thinking art.