Our first ever in-person Threads of Us workshop launched with a full house and full hearts.

Colours of Identity invited migrants, refugees, and displaced individuals to explore how colour carries emotion, memory, and cultural meaning. Through abstract, faceless self-portraits created using paint, collage, symbols, and poetry fragments, participants expressed parts of themselves that words sometimes cannot hold.

As our debut session, we approached the day with excitement and a little apprehension, but what unfolded was powerful. The room quickly transformed into a space of warmth, openness, and connection. Strangers became collaborators. Stories were shared through brush strokes. Identity took shape in bold hues and quiet details.

At Across the Border, we believe art transcends spoken language. For many in our community, English is not a first language. Yet through colour and texture, participants communicated deeply personal narratives without needing to explain them aloud. Art became the bridge.

This session marked the beginning of our Threads of Us series. Blending cultural education, personal storytelling, and creative practice to celebrate the nuances within migrant communities.