>>> A LOCAL STONEMASON BRINGS THE SPIRIT OF TIBET TO WESTERN THE SPIRIT OF TIBET TO WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

>> DURING THE CULTURAL >> DURING THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION IN TIBET, MONASTERY REVOLUTION IN TIBET, MONASTERY MONASTERIES DESTROYED.

MONASTERIES DESTROYED.

I WANTED TO BUILD THE TEMPLE I WANTED TO BUILD THE TEMPLE BACK AND THAT I LEARNED HOW TO BACK AND THAT I LEARNED HOW TO BUILD A SMALL HOUSE.

BUILD A SMALL HOUSE.

>> WE EXPLORE THE IMPACT THAT >> WE EXPLORE THE IMPACT THAT THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE INCARCERATED.

THE INCARCERATED.

>> THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE >> THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE IN HIS HANDS AND CRYING.

IN HIS HANDS AND CRYING.

HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING I CAN'T HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

BELIEVE I DID THIS.

>>> AND A LOCAL COMIC BOOK >>> AND A LOCAL COMIC BOOK ARTIST TURNS HIS HAND THERE ARTIST TURNS HIS HAND THERE TURTLES TO TATTOOS.

TURTLES TO TATTOOS.

>> THE ARTWORK HAS A CULT-LIKE >> THE ARTWORK HAS A CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING AND SOME OF HIS FANS FOLLOWING AND SOME OF HIS FANS ARE TRYING TO RECUR HIS ART IN A ARE TRYING TO RECUR HIS ART IN A MUCH MORE PERMANENT WAY.

MUCH MORE PERMANENT WAY.

>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND >> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING MORE UP NEXT ON CONNECTING POINT.

POINT.

>> Announcer: SUPPORT FOR >> Announcer: SUPPORT FOR CONNECTING POINT IS PROVIDED BY CONNECTING POINT IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR >>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT."

POINT."

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

SONAM LAMA WAS WORN IN THE SONAM LAMA WAS WORN IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OF TIBET DURING THE COUNTRYSIDE OF TIBET DURING THE TIME WHEN THE CULTURAL TIME WHEN THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION WAS RAGING IN CHINA, REVOLUTION WAS RAGING IN CHINA, CAUSES THOUSANDS OF TEMPLES AND CAUSES THOUSANDS OF TEMPLES AND MONASTERIES TO BE DESTROYED.

MONASTERIES TO BE DESTROYED.

HIS DREAM AS A YOUNG BOY WAS TO HIS DREAM AS A YOUNG BOY WAS TO BECOME A MONK, BUT THE BECOME A MONK, BUT THE REBUILDING OF THESE MONASTERIES REBUILDING OF THESE MONASTERIES TAUGHT SONAM THE SKILL OF TAUGHT SONAM THE SKILL OF STONEMASONRY AND HIS LIFE TOOK A STONEMASONRY AND HIS LIFE TOOK A TURN.

TURN.

HE NOW CALLS DEER FEDERAL, HE NOW CALLS DEER FEDERAL, MASSACHUSETTS -- DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS -- DEERFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, HIS HOME AND MASSACHUSETTS, HIS HOME AND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER VISITED HIM PRODUCER DAVE FRASER VISITED HIM RECENT ON THE JOB SITE TO BRING RECENT ON THE JOB SITE TO BRING US HIS STORY.

US HIS STORY.

>> AS YOU DRIVE NORTH ON ROUTE 5 >> AS YOU DRIVE NORTH ON ROUTE 5 IN DEERFIELD, YOU MAY NOTICE A IN DEERFIELD, YOU MAY NOTICE A STONE STRUCTURE ON YOUR LEFT STONE STRUCTURE ON YOUR LEFT SITTING IN FRONT OF WHAT LOOKS SITTING IN FRONT OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN OLD MOTEL.

LIKE AN OLD MOTEL.

THIS STRUCTURE IS A TIBETAN THIS STRUCTURE IS A TIBETAN STARTING LINE-UPA, -- STUPA.

STARTING LINE-UPA, -- STUPA.

>> TIBETANS BELIEVE THE STUPA >> TIBETANS BELIEVE THE STUPA HAS HEALING POWER.

HAS HEALING POWER.

AND ALSO ALL KINDS OF ELEMENTS AND ALSO ALL KINDS OF ELEMENTS AND LARGE BENEFIT, MERIT, YOU NO AND LARGE BENEFIT, MERIT, YOU NO AROUND IT AND BE NEARBY.

AROUND IT AND BE NEARBY.

>> LAMA CREATED HIS STUPA OF >> LAMA CREATED HIS STUPA OF STONE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A STONE UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A BUDDHIST TEACHER.

BUDDHIST TEACHER.

IT IS TOPPED WITH A SPIRE AND IT IS TOPPED WITH A SPIRE AND THE MAIN MOUND SITS ON A STEPPED THE MAIN MOUND SITS ON A STEPPED GOSHEN STONE PLATFORM.

GOSHEN STONE PLATFORM.

ONE SIDE FEATURES A BRASS PLAQUE ONE SIDE FEATURES A BRASS PLAQUE AND THERE ARE TWO URNS KEPT AND THERE ARE TWO URNS KEPT FILLED WITH PLANTS DURING THE FILLED WITH PLANTS DURING THE SUMMER.

SUMMER.

FLYING FROM THE STUPA ARE TWO FLYING FROM THE STUPA ARE TWO TWONG LINES OF PRAYER FLAGS AND TWONG LINES OF PRAYER FLAGS AND BURIED INSIDE A PRAYER BOOKS AND BURIED INSIDE A PRAYER BOOKS AND RELICS.

RELICS.

LAMA HAS BUILT OTHER STUPAS LAMA HAS BUILT OTHER STUPAS BEFORE.

BEFORE.

>> ONE IS IN CHICAGO.

>> ONE IS IN CHICAGO.

NORTH OF CHICAGO.

NORTH OF CHICAGO.

AND I DID ONE FOR NEW YORK CITY AND I DID ONE FOR NEW YORK CITY FOR ACTOR RICHARD GERE.

FOR ACTOR RICHARD GERE.

AND I ALSO CAN VERMONT.

AND I ALSO CAN VERMONT.

SO I DONE FOR EVERY -- FOR OTHER SO I DONE FOR EVERY -- FOR OTHER PEOPLE, BUT FINALLY I GOT A PEOPLE, BUT FINALLY I GOT A CHANCE TO DO MY OWN.

CHANCE TO DO MY OWN.

>> THE STUPA SITS IN FRONT OF A >> THE STUPA SITS IN FRONT OF A TIBETAN PLAZA, A FORMER MOTEL TIBETAN PLAZA, A FORMER MOTEL THAT HE HAS CONVERTED INTO A SET THAT HE HAS CONVERTED INTO A SET OF SHOPS.

OF SHOPS.

THERE IS ALSO A BED AND THERE IS ALSO A BED AND BREAKFAST CALLED THE TIBETAN BREAKFAST CALLED THE TIBETAN INN.

INN.

WHEN LAMA WAS YOUNG, HE HAD WHEN LAMA WAS YOUNG, HE HAD ASPIRATIONS OF BECOMING A MONK.

ASPIRATIONS OF BECOMING A MONK.

BUT THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION BUT THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION CHANGED THOSE PLANS AND HE CHANGED THOSE PLANS AND HE LEARNED THE SKILLS OF A LEARNED THE SKILLS OF A STONEMASON.

STONEMASON.

>> YOU KNOW DURING THE CULTURAL >> YOU KNOW DURING THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION, IN TIBET, MONASTERY REVOLUTION, IN TIBET, MONASTERY AND TEMPLES, BASICALLY, OR MOST AND TEMPLES, BASICALLY, OR MOST OF THEM DESTROYED.

OF THEM DESTROYED.

I WANTED TO BUILD A TEMPLE BACK.

I WANTED TO BUILD A TEMPLE BACK.

AND THAT I LEARN HOW TO BUILD AND THAT I LEARN HOW TO BUILD THE STONE CALLS -- STONEWALLS.

THE STONE CALLS -- STONEWALLS.

AND INSTEAD I BECAME A MONK, AND INSTEAD I BECAME A MONK, ENDED UP STONEMASON.

ENDED UP STONEMASON.

>> IN 1986, HE LEFT HIS NATIVE >> IN 1986, HE LEFT HIS NATIVE LAND AND CAME TO WESTERN MASS.

LAND AND CAME TO WESTERN MASS.

HE STARTED OUT IN SHE WILL BUREN HE STARTED OUT IN SHE WILL BUREN FALLS LOOKING FOR WORK BUILD FALLS LOOKING FOR WORK BUILD STONEWALLS, WALKWAYS, AND STONEWALLS, WALKWAYS, AND PATIOS.

PATIOS.

>> PUT PICTURES, BROCHURES, AT >> PUT PICTURES, BROCHURES, AT THE GROCERY STORE, LIKE YOU THE GROCERY STORE, LIKE YOU KNOW, COSTCO AND GREENFIELD KNOW, COSTCO AND GREENFIELD MARKET, BASICALLY WHEREVER I MARKET, BASICALLY WHEREVER I COULD PUT IT UP I PUT THEM UP.

COULD PUT IT UP I PUT THEM UP.

AND PEOPLE KEPT CALLING.

AND PEOPLE KEPT CALLING.

AND THAT'S HOW I BECAME MY OWN AND THAT'S HOW I BECAME MY OWN BUSINESS.

BUSINESS.

>> THE STONEWORK CAN BE FOUND >> THE STONEWORK CAN BE FOUND AROUND THE VALLEY, INCLUDING AROUND THE VALLEY, INCLUDING SEVERAL ON THE CAMPUS OF EAGLE SEVERAL ON THE CAMPUS OF EAGLE BROOK, A PRIVATE BOARDING AND BROOK, A PRIVATE BOARDING AND STAY SCHOOL IN DEERFIELD.

STAY SCHOOL IN DEERFIELD.

USING PICKS, SHOVELS, AND PRY USING PICKS, SHOVELS, AND PRY BARS, THEY SCULP EACH ROCK BARS, THEY SCULP EACH ROCK BEFORE SLIDING IT INTO PLACE, BEFORE SLIDING IT INTO PLACE, SETTING IT ON A BED OF CRUSHED SETTING IT ON A BED OF CRUSHED STONE.

STONE.

>> IT'S HARD WORK, BUT WHEN YOU >> IT'S HARD WORK, BUT WHEN YOU GET USED TO IT.

GET USED TO IT.

I DON'T MIND HARD WORK.

I DON'T MIND HARD WORK.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU FINISH THE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU FINISH THE JOB, AND OWNER BE VERY HAPPY AND JOB, AND OWNER BE VERY HAPPY AND I FEEL LIKE I CREATED SOMETHING I FEEL LIKE I CREATED SOMETHING THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

AFTER I'M GONE, I KNOW THIS AFTER I'M GONE, I KNOW THIS STONE WALL WILL BE HERE.

STONE WALL WILL BE HERE.

SO THAT'S PART OF A VERY SO THAT'S PART OF A VERY SATISFYING AND VERY GOOD.

SATISFYING AND VERY GOOD.

AND I WAS ONE OF THE FORTUNATE AND I WAS ONE OF THE FORTUNATE IMMIGRANTS BECAME OWN BUSINESS IMMIGRANTS BECAME OWN BUSINESS AND BECAME SUCCESSFUL.

AND BECAME SUCCESSFUL.

AND ALWAYS KEPT BUSY, WHICH IS AND ALWAYS KEPT BUSY, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD.

REALLY GOOD.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> EVERY TRINIGHT "CONNECTING >>> EVERY TRINIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

CONTENT.

>>> ULISALITY PARK -- JULY IS >>> ULISALITY PARK -- JULY IS NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH AND IN THIS WEEK'S MONTH AND IN THIS WEEK'S EXCLUSIVE, TONY TUN HEADS TO THE EXCLUSIVE, TONY TUN HEADS TO THE NORTHERN BERKSHIRES TO CLIMB THE NORTHERN BERKSHIRES TO CLIMB THE STATE'S HIGHEST PEAK AND UNCOVER STATE'S HIGHEST PEAK AND UNCOVER THE HISTORY BEHIND THE CREATION THE HISTORY BEHIND THE CREATION OF THE MOUNT GREYLOCK STATE OF THE MOUNT GREYLOCK STATE RESERVATION.

RESERVATION.

>> JEREMIAH COBBLED TOGETHER A >> JEREMIAH COBBLED TOGETHER A 1600-ACRE FARM COMPRISING MOST 1600-ACRE FARM COMPRISING MOST OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE OF THE NORTHERN END OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGE.

MOUNTAIN RANGE.

INCLUDING THE SUMMIT.

INCLUDING THE SUMMIT.

IN FACT, TO THIS DAY, WE CALL IN FACT, TO THIS DAY, WE CALL ONE AREA ALONG NOTCH ROAD ONE AREA ALONG NOTCH ROAD WILBUR'S CLEARING.

WILBUR'S CLEARING.

400 ACRES OF THE SUMMIT THAT 400 ACRES OF THE SUMMIT THAT ORIGINALLY HAD BEEN PART OF ORIGINALLY HAD BEEN PART OF JEREMIAH'S LARGE FARM HOLDINGS JEREMIAH'S LARGE FARM HOLDINGS WERE SOLD TO A GROUP OF NORTHERN WERE SOLD TO A GROUP OF NORTHERN BUSINESSMEN WHO WENT UNDER THE BUSINESSMEN WHO WENT UNDER THE NAME, THE GREYLOCK PARK NAME, THE GREYLOCK PARK ASSOCIATION.

ASSOCIATION.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL >> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> FOR OVER 35 YEARS, PHYLLIS >>> FOR OVER 35 YEARS, PHYLLIS KORNFELD HAS WORKED AS AN ART KORNFELD HAS WORKED AS AN ART INSTRUCTOR INSIDE CORRECTIONAL INSTRUCTOR INSIDE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, FACILITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, FROM COUNTY JAIL TO DEATH ROW.

FROM COUNTY JAIL TO DEATH ROW.

HER BOOK ENTITLED, "CELLBLOCK HER BOOK ENTITLED, "CELLBLOCK VISIONS, PRISON ART IN AMERICA," VISIONS, PRISON ART IN AMERICA," WAS INSPIRED BY HER WORK WITH WAS INSPIRED BY HER WORK WITH INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN AND INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN AND FEATURES A COLLECTION OF THEIR FEATURES A COLLECTION OF THEIR ARTWORK MADE BEHIND BARS.

ARTWORK MADE BEHIND BARS.

I SPOKE WITH KORNFELD TO LEARN I SPOKE WITH KORNFELD TO LEARN HOW SHE BECAME INVOLVED WITH HOW SHE BECAME INVOLVED WITH TEACHING ART IN CORRECTIONAL TEACHING ART IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND TO HEAR MORE INSTITUTIONS AND TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE CREATIVE ARTS CAN HAVE ON THE INCARSATED.

INCARSATED.

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT TRUE -- >> I'M TALKING ABOUT TRUE -- WHAT I CALL CREW WHAT I CALL CREW VETERINARIANIVITY -- CREATIVITY, VETERINARIANIVITY -- CREATIVITY, WHICH MEANS IT'S NOT THE FRONTAL WHICH MEANS IT'S NOT THE FRONTAL LOBE TELLING BHEE WHAT ART LOBE TELLING BHEE WHAT ART SHOULD LOOK LIKE OR IF I CAN DO SHOULD LOOK LIKE OR IF I CAN DO THIS OR IF I CAN DO THAT.

THIS OR IF I CAN DO THAT.

IT'S WORK -- IT'S WORK THAT IT'S WORK -- IT'S WORK THAT COMES FROM A VERY DEEP PLACE IN COMES FROM A VERY DEEP PLACE IN A PERSON.

A PERSON.

THE VISUAL THAT I HAVE COME TO THE VISUAL THAT I HAVE COME TO ME OVER THE YEARS IS THIS SORT ME OVER THE YEARS IS THIS SORT OF FIERY COIL, DEEP IN EVERY OF FIERY COIL, DEEP IN EVERY HUMAN BEING, THAT HUMANITY ALL HUMAN BEING, THAT HUMANITY ALL THROUGH HISTORY, PEOPLE HAVE THROUGH HISTORY, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WANTING AND CREATING BEAUTY BEEN WANTING AND CREATING BEAUTY AND WANTING TO CREATE BEAUTY.

AND WANTING TO CREATE BEAUTY.

AMONG PEOPLE WHO ARE AMONG PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED, THEY HAVE VERY LOW INCARCERATED, THEY HAVE VERY LOW SELF-ESTEEM.

SELF-ESTEEM.

THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING BUT NEGATIVITY ABOUT THEMSELVES.

NEGATIVITY ABOUT THEMSELVES.

THEY'VE BEEN TRAUMATIZED.

THEY'VE BEEN TRAUMATIZED.

IT'S KEPT THAT BEAUTIFUL HUMAN IT'S KEPT THAT BEAUTIFUL HUMAN CAPACITY IMPRISONED.

CAPACITY IMPRISONED.

WHAT I DO IS I DON'T REACH IN TO WHAT I DO IS I DON'T REACH IN TO PULL IT OUT.

PULL IT OUT.

WHAT I DO IS DISAPPEAR ALL OF WHAT I DO IS DISAPPEAR ALL OF THE OBSTRUCTIONS, AND THEN, BAM, THE OBSTRUCTIONS, AND THEN, BAM, IT'S OUT.

IT'S OUT.

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE.

AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE.

>> I WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT POINT >> I WANT TO TOUCH ON THAT POINT OF THAT NATURAL HUMAN, YOU KNOW, OF THAT NATURAL HUMAN, YOU KNOW, CREATIVITY THAT WE ALL HAVE CREATIVITY THAT WE ALL HAVE INSIDE OF US, BECAUSE YOU'VE INSIDE OF US, BECAUSE YOU'VE STATED THAT UNPLUGGING IS YOUR STATED THAT UNPLUGGING IS YOUR PRIMARY FUNCTION AS AN ART PRIMARY FUNCTION AS AN ART TEACHER AND IT KIND OF HELPS TEACHER AND IT KIND OF HELPS THESE ARTISTS REALIZE THAT THIS THESE ARTISTS REALIZE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S WITHIN THEM.

IS SOMETHING THAT'S WITHIN THEM.

SO WHAT ARE YOUR WAYS OR SO WHAT ARE YOUR WAYS OR TECHNIQUES THAT YOU USE FOR TECHNIQUES THAT YOU USE FOR STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE THAT STUDENTS THAT YOU HAVE THAT MIGHT BE HESITANT TO GET THEM TO MIGHT BE HESITANT TO GET THEM TO BEGIN CREATING ART?

BEGIN CREATING ART?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE >> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE -- THEY'RE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE -- THEY'RE VERY STRICT -- THERE ARE VERY VERY STRICT -- THERE ARE VERY INSTRUCT RULES IN MY CLASS.

INSTRUCT RULES IN MY CLASS.

ONE OF THEM IS THEY'RE NOT ONE OF THEM IS THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK PERSONALLY.

ALLOWED TO SPEAK PERSONALLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S HORRIBLE.

HORRIBLE.

BUT THEY TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES BUT THEY TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR LIVES AND THEIR CRIMES AND THEIR LIVES AND THEIR CRIMES AND THEIR METZERY AND ALL OF AND THEIR METZERY AND ALL OF THAT, ALL THE TIME -- MISERY AND THAT, ALL THE TIME -- MISERY AND ALL OF THAT ALL THE TIME.

ALL OF THAT ALL THE TIME.

THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY IT -- SPEAK SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY IT -- SPEAK IT OUT LOUD IN THE ART CLASS.

IT OUT LOUD IN THE ART CLASS.

SO IMMEDIATELY THE ECO IS SO IMMEDIATELY THE ECO IS QUIETED AND THEY'RE IN -- EGO IS QUIETED AND THEY'RE IN -- EGO IS QUIETED AND THEY'RE IN A PLACE QUIETED AND THEY'RE IN A PLACE OF NOT KNOWING.

OF NOT KNOWING.

THEY ALSO ARE NOT PERMITTED TO THEY ALSO ARE NOT PERMITTED TO EXPRESS NEGTIVITY.

EXPRESS NEGTIVITY.

THAT'S NOT ABOUT -- NEGTIVITY.

THAT'S NOT ABOUT -- NEGTIVITY.

THAT'S NOT ABOUT THE ART BUT THAT'S NOT ABOUT THE ART BUT IT'S ABOUT THEIR SPEECH AND IT'S ABOUT THEIR SPEECH AND THEIR PHYSICAL POSTURE.

THEIR PHYSICAL POSTURE.

AND WE DON'T SPEAK CASUALLY IN AND WE DON'T SPEAK CASUALLY IN OUR CLASS.

OUR CLASS.

SO IMMEDIATELY, THE ONLY THING SO IMMEDIATELY, THE ONLY THING THERE IS TO DO IS TO CREATE THIS THERE IS TO DO IS TO CREATE THIS ART.

ART.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE MAN DID A FOR EXAMPLE, ONE MAN DID A LANDSCAPE.

LANDSCAPE.

BUT HE DID IT UNSURELY AND BUT HE DID IT UNSURELY AND QUICKLY.

QUICKLY.

I SENT HIM BACK TO SPEND MORE I SENT HIM BACK TO SPEND MORE TIME ON IT.

TIME ON IT.

BY THE TIME HE BROUGHT IT IN, IT BY THE TIME HE BROUGHT IT IN, IT WAS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

WAS QUITE BEAUTIFUL.

THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE IN THE MAN WAS HOLDING THE PIECE IN HIS HANDS AND CRYING.

HIS HANDS AND CRYING.

HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING, I HE WAS CRYING AND SAYING, I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THIS.

AND THAT'S -- THAT'S PURPOSE AND THAT'S -- THAT'S PURPOSE NUMBER TWO, IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO NUMBER TWO, IS FOR THE PEOPLE TO REALIZE, TO LEARN A PART OF REALIZE, TO LEARN A PART OF THEMSELVES THAT THEY NEVER KNEW THEMSELVES THAT THEY NEVER KNEW EXISTED.

EXISTED.

>> AFTER SPENDING OVER 35 YEARS >> AFTER SPENDING OVER 35 YEARS WORKING WITH INMATES, WHAT DO WORKING WITH INMATES, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU THINK IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND PEOPLE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS POPULATION?

ABOUT THIS POPULATION?

>> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO >> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE SYSTEM.

JAMES GILLIGAN IS A JAMES GILLIGAN IS A PSYCHIATRIST.

PSYCHIATRIST.

HIS JOB WAS TO INTERVIEW THE HIS JOB WAS TO INTERVIEW THE MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS IN MOST VIOLENT OFFENDERS IN FEDERAL PRISONS.

FEDERAL PRISONS.

HE TOLD ME HE ALWAYS GETS THE HE TOLD ME HE ALWAYS GETS THE SAME ANSWER TO THE SAME SAME ANSWER TO THE SAME QUESTION -- IS WHY DID YOU DO QUESTION -- IS WHY DID YOU DO IT.

IT.

AND HE DIDN'T MEAN THE CHILDHOOD AND HE DIDN'T MEAN THE CHILDHOOD ABUSE AND THAT KIND OF THING.

ABUSE AND THAT KIND OF THING.

HE MEANT THAT MOMENT.

HE MEANT THAT MOMENT.

WHY DID YOU -- WHY DID YOU DO WHY DID YOU -- WHY DID YOU DO IT.

IT.

THEY SAID BECAUSE I WAS THEY SAID BECAUSE I WAS DISRESPECTED.

DISRESPECTED.

AND THE OTHER QUOTE FROM JAMES AND THE OTHER QUOTE FROM JAMES GIGI GAN IS THAT ALL -- GILLIGAN GIGI GAN IS THAT ALL -- GILLIGAN IS ALL VIOLENCE IS AN ATTEMPT TO IS ALL VIOLENCE IS AN ATTEMPT TO REPLACE SHAME WITH SELF-ESTEEM.

REPLACE SHAME WITH SELF-ESTEEM.

SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

I BELIEVE WE REALIZE THAT I BELIEVE WE REALIZE THAT PUNISHMENT -- PUNISHMENT PUNISHMENT -- PUNISHMENT STIMULATES VIOLENCE.

STIMULATES VIOLENCE.

IT DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING.

IT DOESN'T HELP ANYTHING.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE GOT THE I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE GOT THE IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE IN THE IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE IN THE EARLY DAYS, THAT IF YOU PUNISH EARLY DAYS, THAT IF YOU PUNISH SOMEONE, THEY'LL STOP DOING IT, SOMEONE, THEY'LL STOP DOING IT, BOT IT NEVER -- IT -- BECAUSE IT BOT IT NEVER -- IT -- BECAUSE IT NEVER -- IT NEVER WORKED.

NEVER -- IT NEVER WORKED.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR >>> ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR CAMUCK BOOK -- COMIC BOOK SERIES CAMUCK BOOK -- COMIC BOOK SERIES OF ALL TIME HAS ROOTS THAT RUN OF ALL TIME HAS ROOTS THAT RUN DEEP RIGHT HERE IN WESTERN DEEP RIGHT HERE IN WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

NEW ENGLAND.

FOR DECADES THE TEENAGE MUTANT FOR DECADES THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COMICS WERE NINJA TURTLES COMICS WERE PRODUCED OUT OF MIRAGE STUDIOS PRODUCED OUT OF MIRAGE STUDIOS IN NORTH HAMPTON, WITH ITS IN NORTH HAMPTON, WITH ITS ARTISTS RELOCATING TO THE AREA ARTISTS RELOCATING TO THE AREA AND MAKING IT HOME.

AND MAKING IT HOME.

SINCE VIACOM PURCHASED THE SINCE VIACOM PURCHASED THE RIGHTS TO THE TURTLES IN 2009, RIGHTS TO THE TURTLES IN 2009, SOME HAVE MOVED ON TO NEW SOME HAVE MOVED ON TO NEW VENTURES, INCLUDING ONE WHO'S VENTURES, INCLUDING ONE WHO'S KEEPING HIS ART ALIVE FOR ANYONE KEEPING HIS ART ALIVE FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE IT FOREVER.

WHO WANTS TO HAVE IT FOREVER.

CPR'S ROSS LIPPMAN TAKES US TO CPR'S ROSS LIPPMAN TAKES US TO EAST HAMPTON AND THE SHOP WHERE EAST HAMPTON AND THE SHOP WHERE HE'S GONE FROM TURT TOLLS HE'S GONE FROM TURT TOLLS TATTOOS.

TATTOOS.

-- TURTLES TO TATTOOS.

-- TURTLES TO TATTOOS.

>> Reporter: MOMS DON'T LIKE >> Reporter: MOMS DON'T LIKE TATTOOS.

TATTOOS.

>> WHEN I GOT MY FIRST ONE I >> WHEN I GOT MY FIRST ONE I DON'T THINK SHE SPOKE A WORD TO DON'T THINK SHE SPOKE A WORD TO ME FOR TWO WEEKS.

ME FOR TWO WEEKS.

>> INSIDE OBJECTIONBO -- OXBOW >> INSIDE OBJECTIONBO -- OXBOW TATTOO IN EAST HAMPTON, YOU GET TATTOO IN EAST HAMPTON, YOU GET THEY'RE INSPIRED BY SIMILAR WORK THEY'RE INSPIRED BY SIMILAR WORK AND COLLECTIVELY ARE ON THE SAME AND COLLECTIVELY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

PAGE.

>> OUR SHOP IS A LITTLE >> OUR SHOP IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

DIFFERENT.

WE MAKE ALL OUR DECISIONS WE MAKE ALL OUR DECISIONS COLLECTIVELY AS WAS THE CASE COLLECTIVELY AS WAS THE CASE WHEN BRINGING IN ITS NEWEST WHEN BRINGING IN ITS NEWEST ARTIST -- ARTIST -- >> WHEN YOU FIRST START >> WHEN YOU FIRST START TATTOOING -- TATTOOING -- >> ERIC.

>> ERIC.

>> IT'S SEAT OF YOUR PANTS.

>> IT'S SEAT OF YOUR PANTS.

LIKE TERRIFYING.

LIKE TERRIFYING.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW.

ORDEAL TO BE HONEST.

ORDEAL TO BE HONEST.

>> ERIC HAS GOT QUITE A HISTORY >> ERIC HAS GOT QUITE A HISTORY AS AN ILLUSTRATOR.

AS AN ILLUSTRATOR.

HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST THAT A LOT OF THESE LOOKED UP THAT A LOT OF THESE LOOKED UP TO.

TO.

>> IT'S A WEIRD THING TELLING >> IT'S A WEIRD THING TELLING PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, I DRAW I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, I DRAW THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES AND THEY WOULD BE LIKE, WHAT?

AND THEY WOULD BE LIKE, WHAT?

♪ ♪ ♪ .

♪ .

>> IN 1984, KEVIN EASTMAN AND >> IN 1984, KEVIN EASTMAN AND PETER LAIRD PUBLISHED THE FIRST PETER LAIRD PUBLISHED THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT ISSUE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COMIC.

NINJA TURTLES COMIC.

EVENTUALLY BECOMING A GLOBAL EVENTUALLY BECOMING A GLOBAL PHENOMENON.

PHENOMENON.

GENERATING AN ESTIMATED GENERATING AN ESTIMATED $6 BILLION IN MERCHANDISE $6 BILLION IN MERCHANDISE REVENUE IN ITS FIRST 10 YEARS.

REVENUE IN ITS FIRST 10 YEARS.

>> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS I >> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS I THINK ABOUT THE TURTLES, I THINK THINK ABOUT THE TURTLES, I THINK IT TOUCHED ON A LITTLE BIT, WAS IT TOUCHED ON A LITTLE BIT, WAS THE FACT THAT IT WASN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT IT WASN'T LIKE NORMAL COMIC BOOKS AND PEOPLE NORMAL COMIC BOOKS AND PEOPLE SAY THAT TO ME AT CONVENTIONS SAY THAT TO ME AT CONVENTIONS YOU CAN SEE THE WORK.

YOU CAN SEE THE WORK.

IT MAYBE WASN'T AS POLISHED AS IT MAYBE WASN'T AS POLISHED AS SOME OF THE MAINSTREAM COMICS, SOME OF THE MAINSTREAM COMICS, BUT IT HAD THE CHARM THAT IT WAS BUT IT HAD THE CHARM THAT IT WAS LIKE A DO-IT-YOURSELF KIND OF LIKE A DO-IT-YOURSELF KIND OF DIY THING WE ARE WE WERE DIY THING WE ARE WE WERE LEARNING AS WE WERE GOING.

LEARNING AS WE WERE GOING.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TOMORROW AT DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TOMORROW AT THREE?

THREE?

>> NOW TALBOT IS TRYING HIS HAND >> NOW TALBOT IS TRYING HIS HAND AT A NEW CANVAS.

AT A NEW CANVAS.

>> TATTOOS IS ALWAYS KIND OF >> TATTOOS IS ALWAYS KIND OF BEEN THERE.

BEEN THERE.

IT'S SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT IT'S SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT DOING.

DOING.

I'VE HAD OFFERS FROM DIFFERENT I'VE HAD OFFERS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

I THINK MY ART RELATES.

I THINK MY ART RELATES.

I DRAW A LOT OF SKULLS AND I DRAW A LOT OF SKULLS AND CREATURES, I DRAW A LOT OF STUFF CREATURES, I DRAW A LOT OF STUFF THAT KIND OF RELATES TO TATTOOS.

THAT KIND OF RELATES TO TATTOOS.

>> IT'S KIND OF LIKE AN >> IT'S KIND OF LIKE AN ELECTRICIAN DECIDING TO BE A ELECTRICIAN DECIDING TO BE A PLUMBER.

PLUMBER.

YOU'RE IN THE TRADES, BUT IT'S YOU'RE IN THE TRADES, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME JOB.

NOT THE SAME JOB.

>> TALBOT'S ART WORK HAS A >> TALBOT'S ART WORK HAS A CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING AND NOW THAT CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING AND NOW THAT HE'S IN THE TATTOO WORLD, SOME HE'S IN THE TATTOO WORLD, SOME OF HIS FANS ARE TRYING TO OF HIS FANS ARE TRYING TO PROCURE HIS ART IN A MUCH MORE PROCURE HIS ART IN A MUCH MORE PERMANENT WAIT.

PERMANENT WAIT.

MATT IS HERE GETTING A REAPER MATT IS HERE GETTING A REAPER TATTOO.

TATTOO.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST TATTOO BY IS THIS YOUR FIRST TATTOO BY ERIC?

ERIC?

>> THIS WOULD BE MY THIRD.

>> THIS WOULD BE MY THIRD.

>> YOUR THIRD.

>> YOUR THIRD.

>> I USUALLY JUST LIKE TO GO IN >> I USUALLY JUST LIKE TO GO IN TO ARTISTS.

TO ARTISTS.

I CHECK OUT THEIR STUFF AND I I CHECK OUT THEIR STUFF AND I LIKE THEM I TELL THEM DO THEIR LIKE THEM I TELL THEM DO THEIR THING.

THING.

AND THAT WAY I THINK I'M LIKE AND THAT WAY I THINK I'M LIKE GETTING A BETTER PRODUCT OUT OF GETTING A BETTER PRODUCT OUT OF IT.

IT.

>> IT'S PHYSICALLY DEMANDING.

>> IT'S PHYSICALLY DEMANDING.

>> THE MORE TAS -- TATTOOLES YOU >> THE MORE TAS -- TATTOOLES YOU DO THE MORE YOU GET COMFORTABLE DO THE MORE YOU GET COMFORTABLE WHO TO -- WHAT TO EXPECT.

WHO TO -- WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> HIS AGE MAKES HIS SQUISH TO >> HIS AGE MAKES HIS SQUISH TO THE TATTOO WORLD ALL THE MORE THE TATTOO WORLD ALL THE MORE UNIQUE.

UNIQUE.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST STORY LIKE >> THIS IS THE FIRST STORY LIKE THIS I'VE EVER HEARD.

THIS I'VE EVER HEARD.

I'VE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE I'VE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE TRANSITIONING INTO TATTOOING TRANSITIONING INTO TATTOOING FROM THE TRADES AT A LATER AGE.

FROM THE TRADES AT A LATER AGE.

BUT AS FAR AS THIS IS THE FIRST BUT AS FAR AS THIS IS THE FIRST STORY OF ITS KIND THAT I'M AWARE STORY OF ITS KIND THAT I'M AWARE OF.

OF.

>> THEN I TOLD LIKE A MILLION >> THEN I TOLD LIKE A MILLION PEOPLE THAT I WAS GETTING PEOPLE THAT I WAS GETTING TATTOOED BY THE NINJA TURTLE TATTOOED BY THE NINJA TURTLE GUY.

GUY.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS DOPE.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS DOPE.

>> IT WAS HEALTHY TO GET OUTSIDE >> IT WAS HEALTHY TO GET OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE AND STAY OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE AND STAY OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE AND THAT'S ONE MY COMFORT ZONE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT TATTOOING IS THAT I'VE GOT A TATTOOING IS THAT I'VE GOT A PLACE TO GO EVERY DAY AND PLACE TO GO EVERY DAY AND THERE'S PEOPLE AROUND ME.

THERE'S PEOPLE AROUND ME.

>> YOU SIT DOWN AND DO A DRAWING >> YOU SIT DOWN AND DO A DRAWING FOR PEOPLE TO SEE, YOU'RE FOR PEOPLE TO SEE, YOU'RE NERVOUS AND YOU CHOKE UP AND NERVOUS AND YOU CHOKE UP AND YOU -- YOU DON'T GROW.

YOU -- YOU DON'T GROW.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO GROW IS MAKE AND THE ONLY WAY TO GROW IS MAKE MISTAKES IN MY OPINION.

MISTAKES IN MY OPINION.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT AND IF YOU'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT MAKING MISTAKES, YOU'RE GONNA MAKING MISTAKES, YOU'RE GONNA MAKE THEM, YOU KNOW?

MAKE THEM, YOU KNOW?

>> PROGRAMS TATTOOING WAS -- >> PROGRAMS TATTOOING WAS -- PERHAPS TATTOOING WAS IN THE PERHAPS TATTOOING WAS IN THE CARDS FOR HIM ALL ALONG.

CARDS FOR HIM ALL ALONG.

AFTER ALL -- AFTER ALL -- >> OKAY.

>> OKAY.

>> WHAT ARE THE AUDITS?

>> WHAT ARE THE AUDITS?

>> SO OVER -- ODDS?

>> SO OVER -- ODDS?

>> SO OVER -- AS I STARTED DOING >> SO OVER -- AS I STARTED DOING THESE INTERVIEWS, AT SOME POINT THESE INTERVIEWS, AT SOME POINT MY WIFE MENTIONED THIS CHARACTER MY WIFE MENTIONED THIS CHARACTER THAT I HAD DESIGNED.

THAT I HAD DESIGNED.

AND SHE CONTINUALLY GOT ME THESE AND SHE CONTINUALLY GOT ME THESE CHRISTMAS -- AND THIS CHARACTER CHRISTMAS -- AND THIS CHARACTER THAT TOO THAT I DESIGNED FOR THE THAT TOO THAT I DESIGNED FOR THE NINJA TURTLES AND HIS NAME IS NINJA TURTLES AND HIS NAME IS TATTOO.

TATTOO.

AND I KIND OF FORGOT ABOUT THIS AND I KIND OF FORGOT ABOUT THIS GUY.

GUY.

SO IT'S FUNNY THAT TATTOOING HAS SO IT'S FUNNY THAT TATTOOING HAS KIND OF JUST BEEN THERE ALL KIND OF JUST BEEN THERE ALL ALONG.

ALONG.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> IF YOU'VE DRIVEN DOWN MAIN >>> IF YOU'VE DRIVEN DOWN MAIN STREET IN HOLYOKE RECENTLY, YOU STREET IN HOLYOKE RECENTLY, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED SOME NEW DECOR.

MAY HAVE NOTICED SOME NEW DECOR.

THE PLACEKEEPING PROJECT THE PLACEKEEPING PROJECT ENTITLED, "ELCORAZON DEHOLEY, OR ENTITLED, "ELCORAZON DEHOLEY, OR THE HEART OF HOLYOKE, HAS BEGUN THE HEART OF HOLYOKE, HAS BEGUN UNVEILING NEW PUBLIC ARTWORK AND UNVEILING NEW PUBLIC ARTWORK AND MURALS CREATED BY LOCAL ARTISTS MURALS CREATED BY LOCAL ARTISTS THAT REFLECT THE PUERTO RICAN THAT REFLECT THE PUERTO RICAN AND THE LATINX CULTURE OF THE AND THE LATINX CULTURE OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS.

SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS.

I SPOKE WITH CYNTHIA ESPINOSA, I SPOKE WITH CYNTHIA ESPINOSA, SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER OF SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER OF PLANNING AND ECONOMIC PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY, AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CITY, AND FRANKIE BORERO AND CHEF FRANKIE BORERO AND CHEF CHELVANAYA GABRIEL, TO HEAR MORE CHELVANAYA GABRIEL, TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THE ORIGINS.

ABOUT THE ORIGINS.

>> FROM 2017 AND 2018, THERE WAS >> FROM 2017 AND 2018, THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES A FIND OUT WHAT MAKES A NEIGHBORHOOD POKAN.

NEIGHBORHOOD POKAN.

-- PUERTO RICAN.

-- PUERTO RICAN.

AND THAT BEING ARTS, CULTURE, AND THAT BEING ARTS, CULTURE, CELEBRATION, FESTIVALS.

CELEBRATION, FESTIVALS.

IN HISTORY REALLY MAKING IT A IN HISTORY REALLY MAKING IT A PUERTO RICAN LATINA X COMMUNITY.

PUERTO RICAN LATINA X COMMUNITY.

SO FROM THERE -- IT CAME OUT.

SO FROM THERE -- IT CAME OUT.

THAT YOU REALLY SHOWING THE ART THAT YOU REALLY SHOWING THE ART OF -- HART -- HEART OF THAT.

OF -- HART -- HEART OF THAT.

>> WHAT IS THE GOAL AND VISION >> WHAT IS THE GOAL AND VISION BEHIND THIS PROJECT?

BEHIND THIS PROJECT?

>> THE GOAL IS TO REALLY >> THE GOAL IS TO REALLY HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN HERE IN HOLYOKE FOR MANY BEEN HERE IN HOLYOKE FOR MANY YEARS.

YEARS.

ALSO, MAKE MAIN STREET WHAT IT ALSO, MAKE MAIN STREET WHAT IT IS, IT'S COURT OF LIKE -- SORT IS, IT'S COURT OF LIKE -- SORT OF LIKE WHAT HAS BEEN, OF LIKE WHAT HAS BEEN, HIGHLIGHT, BRING IN MORE HIGHLIGHT, BRING IN MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY AND HIGHLIGHT THE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE.

BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE.

BUT ALSO CELEBRATE WHAT -- BUT ALSO CELEBRATE WHAT -- WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING IN MAIN WHAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING IN MAIN STREET.

STREET.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THE CROWD >> AND SPEAKING OF THE CROWD FUNDING CAMPAIGN ON -- ON THIS FUNDING CAMPAIGN ON -- ON THIS PROJECT, YOU RECEIVED OVER PROJECT, YOU RECEIVED OVER $25,000 WHICH EXCEEDED THE $25,000 WHICH EXCEEDED THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF $20,000.

ORIGINAL GOAL OF $20,000.

HOW DID IT FEEL TO SEE THE HOW DID IT FEEL TO SEE THE COMMUNITY REALLY SHOW UP AND COMMUNITY REALLY SHOW UP AND ENDORSE THIS PROJECT?

ENDORSE THIS PROJECT?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT WAS >> YEAH, I THINK IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

INCREDIBLE.

IT'S -- IT WAS -- A GREAT IT'S -- IT WAS -- A GREAT FEELING TO GO BEYOND OUR GOAL FEELING TO GO BEYOND OUR GOAL AND WHAT WAS EVEN BEAUTIFUL THAT AND WHAT WAS EVEN BEAUTIFUL THAT THE GRANT WAS MATCHED.

THE GRANT WAS MATCHED.

SO NOT ONLY DID WE RECEIVE SO NOT ONLY DID WE RECEIVE $25,000.

$25,000.

WE ALSO RECEIVED AN EXTRA WE ALSO RECEIVED AN EXTRA $20,000 TO MAKE THE ART $20,000 TO MAKE THE ART INSTALLATIONS HAPPEN.

INSTALLATIONS HAPPEN.

>> SO THIS BRINGS THE -- THE >> SO THIS BRINGS THE -- THE PROJECT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD PROJECT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND BEGAN UNVEILING SOME OF THE AND BEGAN UNVEILING SOME OF THE FEATURED ARTWORK ON MAIN STREET.

FEATURED ARTWORK ON MAIN STREET.

HOW ARE ALL THE ARTISTS CHOSEN HOW ARE ALL THE ARTISTS CHOSEN FOR THIS PROJECT?

FOR THIS PROJECT?

>> THE GOAL WAS TO DO WORKSHOPS >> THE GOAL WAS TO DO WORKSHOPS TO BE VERY ENGAGING WITH OUR TO BE VERY ENGAGING WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO SELECT THE ARTISTS.

COMMUNITY TO SELECT THE ARTISTS.

SO WE DID THAT VERSION VIRTUALLY SO WE DID THAT VERSION VIRTUALLY AND THE BEST WAY WE COULD, STILL AND THE BEST WAY WE COULD, STILL LIMITING.

LIMITING.

AND WE -- WE'VE HAD ARTISTS AND WE -- WE'VE HAD ARTISTS APPLY ONLINE AND WE ALSO GIVE APPLY ONLINE AND WE ALSO GIVE THE OPTION OF THE PERSON DROP THE OPTION OF THE PERSON DROP OFF AND ALL THAT.

OFF AND ALL THAT.

AND FROM THERE WE HAD OUR AND FROM THERE WE HAD OUR COMMITTEE SELECT LOCAL ARTISTS COMMITTEE SELECT LOCAL ARTISTS BASED ON THE APPLICATION.

BASED ON THE APPLICATION.

>> FRANKIE, YOU ARE A >> FRANKIE, YOU ARE A SELF-TAUGHT COLOR MIND ARTIST SELF-TAUGHT COLOR MIND ARTIST WHO HAS BEEN PART OF SELF WHO HAS BEEN PART OF SELF COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS IN COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS IN SPRINGFIELD INCLUDING FRESH SPRINGFIELD INCLUDING FRESH PAINT AND THE "BLACK LIVES PAINT AND THE "BLACK LIVES MATTER" MURAL.

MATTER" MURAL.

HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY WITH ART HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY WITH ART BEGIN AND WHY HAS IT BEEN BEGIN AND WHY HAS IT BEEN IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE SO INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ART-MAKING INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ART-MAKING PROJECTS?

PROJECTS?

>> I'VE BEEN WORKING DRAWING >> I'VE BEEN WORKING DRAWING SINCE BIRTH.

SINCE BIRTH.

AND STUCK TO IT MORE OR LESS AND STUCK TO IT MORE OR LESS JUST MICKEY MOUSE PICTURES AND JUST MICKEY MOUSE PICTURES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

CARTOONS, COMICS.

CARTOONS, COMICS.

AND THEN THE GRAFFITI ERA CAME, AND THEN THE GRAFFITI ERA CAME, BREAK DANCING AND OF COURSE I BREAK DANCING AND OF COURSE I WAS ENTRENCHED IN THAT.

WAS ENTRENCHED IN THAT.

BUT THAT WAS NOT MY CAREER.

BUT THAT WAS NOT MY CAREER.

MY CAREER WAS IN DENTISTRY.

MY CAREER WAS IN DENTISTRY.

SO I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ART.

SO I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ART.

IT WAS IN 2015 THAT I SUFFERED A IT WAS IN 2015 THAT I SUFFERED A TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

AND AFTER THAT -- THAT'S WHEN I AND AFTER THAT -- THAT'S WHEN I REALLY, REALLY DEDICATED MYSELF REALLY, REALLY DEDICATED MYSELF TO THE ART.

TO THE ART.

>> HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH >> HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE ELCORAZON DE HOLYOKE THE ELCORAZON DE HOLYOKE PROJECT.

PROJECT.

WHAT INTERESTED YOU IN IT?

WHAT INTERESTED YOU IN IT?

>> IT'S FOG ANYTHING BECAUSE IT >> IT'S FOG ANYTHING BECAUSE IT GIVES THE -- IT'S FASCINATING GIVES THE -- IT'S FASCINATING BECAUSE IT GIVES THE BECAUSE IT GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY, TO, ONE, YOU HAVE A OPPORTUNITY, TO, ONE, YOU HAVE A VOICE, BUT YOU GELS 8 -- ALSO VOICE, BUT YOU GELS 8 -- ALSO GET TO DECORATE A CITY.

GET TO DECORATE A CITY.

YOU GET TO EXPRESS YOURSELF YOU GET TO EXPRESS YOURSELF VISUALLY IN THESE CITIES.

VISUALLY IN THESE CITIES.

AND I WANT -- I -- MY BIG THING AND I WANT -- I -- MY BIG THING IS TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY A PART IS TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY A PART OF IT BY HELPING ME PAINT SOME OF IT BY HELPING ME PAINT SOME OF THESE THINGS.

OF THESE THINGS.

>> NOW, YOUR PIECE IS TITLED -- >> NOW, YOUR PIECE IS TITLED -- TRANSITION OF THE ANCESTORS.

TRANSITION OF THE ANCESTORS.

EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS ARTWORK EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS ARTWORK IS AND WHAT INSPIRED IT.

IS AND WHAT INSPIRED IT.

>> IT WAS PUERTO RICO THEMED.

>> IT WAS PUERTO RICO THEMED.

BUT I DIDN'T WANT -- I.

BUT I DIDN'T WANT -- I.

WITH AD IT TO BE MORE HISTORICAL WITH AD IT TO BE MORE HISTORICAL TIMELINE THAN YOUR BASIC STARS.

TIMELINE THAN YOUR BASIC STARS.

SO I WENT TO WORK, DID RESEARCH, SO I WENT TO WORK, DID RESEARCH, LIKE 50 HOURS OF RESEARCH IN HOW LIKE 50 HOURS OF RESEARCH IN HOW THE PROJECT IS GONNA GO.

THE PROJECT IS GONNA GO.

I STARTED WITH THE PRECOLUMBUS I STARTED WITH THE PRECOLUMBUS ERA WITH IF INDIANA AND THE ERA WITH IF INDIANA AND THE NATIVES -- WITH THE INDIANS AND NATIVES -- WITH THE INDIANS AND THE NAY TIFLTSZ.

THE NAY TIFLTSZ.

I TRANSITIONED TO NEW YORK, WITH I TRANSITIONED TO NEW YORK, WITH MORE ENO.

MORE ENO.

AND -- RITA MORENO.

AND -- RITA MORENO.

AND SCHEES ONE OF THE FEW WHO AND SCHEES ONE OF THE FEW WHO HAVE WON A GRAMMY, EMMY, OSCAR, HAVE WON A GRAMMY, EMMY, OSCAR, A TONY AWARD, SO SHE REALLY PUT A TONY AWARD, SO SHE REALLY PUT IT OUT THERE FOR US.

IT OUT THERE FOR US.

JUN NEATH HER I PUT -- JUN NEATH HER I PUT -- UNDERNEATH HER I PUT LAGARTA -- UNDERNEATH HER I PUT LAGARTA -- I ALWAYS FORGET HER NAME.

I ALWAYS FORGET HER NAME.

BUT SHE WAS A PRODUCER IN BUT SHE WAS A PRODUCER IN PUERTO RICO.

PUERTO RICO.

AND A VERY FAMOUS TELEVISION AND A VERY FAMOUS TELEVISION FIGURE.

FIGURE.

AND AS WE GO ALONG, I ADDED AND AS WE GO ALONG, I ADDED CLEMENTE, THE BASEBALL PIONEER CLEMENTE, THE BASEBALL PIONEER FOR OUR RACE.

FOR OUR RACE.

HE WAS AN ALL-STAR.

HE WAS AN ALL-STAR.

AFTER THAT I PUT HECTOR LODGEO.

AFTER THAT I PUT HECTOR LODGEO.

HE WAS A PIE YOER -- PIONEER FOR HE WAS A PIE YOER -- PIONEER FOR THE SALSA.

THE SALSA.

AND AFTER HIM I PUT PEDRO.

AND AFTER HIM I PUT PEDRO.

IN THE '20S HE GRADUATED FROM IN THE '20S HE GRADUATED FROM HARVARD.

HARVARD.

BUT HE WAS ALSO A PIONEER AND A BUT HE WAS ALSO A PIONEER AND A REVOLUTIONARY, A LAWYER, FOR OUR REVOLUTIONARY, A LAWYER, FOR OUR CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND HE SPOKE SIX LANGUAGES!

AND HE SPOKE SIX LANGUAGES!

I HAD TO ADD HIM TO SHOW A I HAD TO ADD HIM TO SHOW A LITTLE COMBINATION OF WE'RE NOT LITTLE COMBINATION OF WE'RE NOT ALL JUST MUSIC.

ALL JUST MUSIC.

WE'RE A LITTLE BIT OF WE'RE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING.

>> AND CHELVANAYA, YOU ARE A 7 >> AND CHELVANAYA, YOU ARE A 7 TAUGHT ARTIST AND MULTIMEDIA ART TAUGHT ARTIST AND MULTIMEDIA ART ACTIVISTS WITH -- ACTIVISTIST ACTIVISTS WITH -- ACTIVISTIST WITH A SCIENCE BACKGROUND.

WITH A SCIENCE BACKGROUND.

WITH AN AFRO QUEER FUTURIST AND WITH AN AFRO QUEER FUTURIST AND DISABILITY JUSTICE LENS.

DISABILITY JUSTICE LENS.

YOU SAY WHOSE STORIES AREN'T YOU SAY WHOSE STORIES AREN'T BEING TOLD.

BEING TOLD.

WHY DID YOU APPROACH YOUR WHY DID YOU APPROACH YOUR ARTWORK THROUGH THAT LENS AND ARTWORK THROUGH THAT LENS AND HOW HAS THIS INFLUENCED YOUR HOW HAS THIS INFLUENCED YOUR PIECE FOR -- THAT TITLE FOR YOUR PIECE FOR -- THAT TITLE FOR YOUR PIECE?

PIECE?

>> I CHOSE THAT FROM MY LENS, >> I CHOSE THAT FROM MY LENS, FIRST OF ALL.

FIRST OF ALL.

IT BEGINS WITH SORT OF BOTH IT BEGINS WITH SORT OF BOTH MYSELF AND WHEN I SAY I, IT'S MYSELF AND WHEN I SAY I, IT'S THIS PERSON.

THIS PERSON.

BUT ALSO MY ANCESTORS, WHICH IS BUT ALSO MY ANCESTORS, WHICH IS PART -- YOU KNOW, AND THAT SORT PART -- YOU KNOW, AND THAT SORT OF PERSPECTIVE IS PART OF WHAT OF PERSPECTIVE IS PART OF WHAT DREW ME TO THIS PROJECT.

DREW ME TO THIS PROJECT.

YOU KNOW, HONORING THE ANCESTORS YOU KNOW, HONORING THE ANCESTORS AND IT'S JUST VERY IMPORTANT TO AND IT'S JUST VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO BRING THOSE VOICES ME TO BRING THOSE VOICES FORWARD, RIGHT, AND TO DO SO FORWARD, RIGHT, AND TO DO SO INTENTIONALLY AND CONSISTENTLY, INTENTIONALLY AND CONSISTENTLY, JUST LIKE ALL THE TIME, NOT LIKE JUST LIKE ALL THE TIME, NOT LIKE HERE'S A DAY, HERE'S A MONTH, HERE'S A DAY, HERE'S A MONTH, WHATEVER, BUT LIKE THIS IS ALL WHATEVER, BUT LIKE THIS IS ALL THE TIME.

THE TIME.

SO TO HAVE A PUBLIC ART PROJECT SO TO HAVE A PUBLIC ART PROJECT WHERE YOU GET TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU GET TO SEE, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL FACES AND ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL FACES AND ARTWORK AND YOU KNOW, AND ARTWORK AND YOU KNOW, AND ARTWORK AND VOICES THAT ARE ARTWORK AND VOICES THAT ARE WOVEN THROUGHOUT THOSE PIECES, WOVEN THROUGHOUT THOSE PIECES, ON A REGULAR BASIS, LIKE THAT'S ON A REGULAR BASIS, LIKE THAT'S JUST POWER RIGHT THERE.

JUST POWER RIGHT THERE.

>> IN ADDITION TO YOURS AND >> IN ADDITION TO YOURS AND FRANKIE'S ARTWORK, WHAT OTHER FRANKIE'S ARTWORK, WHAT OTHER PIECES OF ART CAN WE EXPECT TO PIECES OF ART CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE ALONG MAIN STREET.

SEE ALONG MAIN STREET.

>> SO THIS PART OF CHEF CHEF'S >> SO THIS PART OF CHEF CHEF'S WORK AND -- CHELVANAYA AND WORK AND -- CHELVANAYA AND FRANKIE ICE PIECES, WE'RE FRANKIE ICE PIECES, WE'RE INSTALLING WORK FOR VINTAGE INSTALLING WORK FOR VINTAGE TOWERS THAT ARE LIKE THE GATEWAY TOWERS THAT ARE LIKE THE GATEWAY TO MAIN STREET.

TO MAIN STREET.

AND OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT A AND OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE IT A STATEWIDE RECOGNIZED CULTURAL STATEWIDE RECOGNIZED CULTURAL DISTRICT THERE.

DISTRICT THERE.

IT'S SPECIFICALLY PUERTO RICAN IT'S SPECIFICALLY PUERTO RICAN CULTURE BECAUSE WE HAVE ABOUT CULTURE BECAUSE WE HAVE ABOUT 95% OF OUR LATINOS, OR LATINX 95% OF OUR LATINOS, OR LATINX RESIDENTS IN HOLEY, -- HOLYOKE RESIDENTS IN HOLEY, -- HOLYOKE IDENTIFY AS PUERTO RICAN AND WE IDENTIFY AS PUERTO RICAN AND WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE OTHER WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE OTHER LATINX IN OUR CITY.

LATINX IN OUR CITY.

SO IT'S A VERY EXCITING PROJECT.

SO IT'S A VERY EXCITING PROJECT.

IT DEFINITELY -- WE DEFINITELY IT DEFINITELY -- WE DEFINITELY CAN SEE IT FROM YEARS TO COME CAN SEE IT FROM YEARS TO COME AND IT WILL CHANGE DIFFERENT AND IT WILL CHANGE DIFFERENT WAYS.

WAYS.

IT CAN BE FROM ARTWORK TO EVENTS IT CAN BE FROM ARTWORK TO EVENTS TO -- NEW BUSINESSES COMING IN.

TO -- NEW BUSINESSES COMING IN.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED AND OPEN SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED AND OPEN TO SEEING HOW IT LOOKS, YOU TO SEEING HOW IT LOOKS, YOU KNOW.

KNOW.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE A PLAN WHERE WE DEFINITELY HAVE A PLAN WHERE TO INSTALL WHAT.

TO INSTALL WHAT.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY CAN BE BUT IT'S DEFINITELY CAN BE CHANGED AND ADJUSTED TO THE CHANGED AND ADJUSTED TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING >>> THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" FOR JULY 16TH, 2021.

POINT" FOR JULY 16TH, 2021.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT, AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE TONIGHT, AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGIT-ONLY CONTENT, FEATURES, DIGIT-ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT AND MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

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NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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