Wildflowers Institute

Wildfowers Institute has actively pursued its mission of sustainability by understanding the intricate dynamics of community functioning. Throughout 2022, our emphasis has been on identifying assets and resources that are pivotal in preserving cultural and historical identities. A noteworthy endeavor this year was the sponsorship of the arts and culture awards program, "Hidden Gems," targeting two specific communities. This report elucidates the program's objectives, outcomes and ensuing developments. The Institutes approach to sustainability is to know and to strengthen what works in a community. Our objective is to understand the true essence of community dynamics. Our methodology is to identify resources and assets improving the land, food, and conditions for people as well as upholding the history and culture of a community. In addition, we engage with individuals, self-organized groups, and public, private and nonprofit organizations that champion either the continuity and/or adaptability in life. Our goal is to recognize the convergence and interrelation of strengths as a bedrock for community sustainability.The Hidden Gems Arts and Culture Awards Program (2022) focused on two communities: the Lao Iu Mien in Northern California and San Francisco Chinatown. The program highlights were:1. Awards offered to local residents for artworks depicting life narratives.2. Artworks revealed insights into local resources, culture and decision-makingdynamics.3. The program provided a platform during pressing times of social unrest and unpredictability.4. Emphasis on tales of migration and immigration, accentuating resiliency and the pivotal role of women in ensuring stability.5. Artworks became a medium of expressing intergenerational connections and cultural and spiritual continuance.The Honorable Lillian K. Sing, a retired justice from the Superior Court of San Francisco County, served a panelist for the Chinatown segment. Justice Sing's involvement not only added gravitas to the selection process but also offered heartfelt reflections on the cultural transmission evidenced through the artworks.A wider impact and ongoing ripple effects is emerging in the Chinese Community. The Sing Tao Newspapers in San Francisco, a major Chinese publication, featured the community stories highlighted by the "Hidden Gems" program. Plans are being made to exhibit the collection in Chinatown by 2024. In the Lao Iu Mien Community, award winners and other community members have taken the initiative to continue the documentation of their history, aiming for wider dissemination. And the narratives are reaching a broad audience, encompassing thousands in the U.S. and the San Francisco Bay Area.Wildflowers Institute's endeavors in 2022 underscore its commitments to spotlighting the unseen strengths within communities. Through the "Hidden Gems" program, the Institute not only brought to the forefront the tales of perseverance and cultural richness but also set the stage for ongoing community-led initiates. As we continue our journey, we remain steadfast in our mission, ensuring that voices and stories form the cornerstone of our efforts.