Multimedia Event for Refugee Awareness, October 19
On October 19, Grace hosted an event where Fuse Media presented Love > Fear: Journey to Refuge, a multimedia experience of refugee resettlement in the Carolinas. The event included performances by three Asheville bands, refugee video stories by award-winning filmmakers, presentations about the resettlement process from refugee agencies, and opportunities for paths to service with local organizations. Love > Fear is a creative collaboration of more than 30 partners and volunteers, many of them from Grace. If you would like more information about the event see www.fuse-media.org or contact .

Trailer for Love > Fear Event from Fuse on Vimeo.

Press Release:

At Grace Centre in Mills River, on October 19, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fuse Media presents Love > Fear, a multi-media production highlighting the international refugee crisis. Asheville filmmakers, bands and refugee agencies will tell the story of the journey to refuge.
Fuse Media founder Rob Wilkins, along with other Asheville filmmakers, will present videos that explore the lives of Carolina refugees on a personal level--what their lives were like before displacement as well as the reality of today. Love>Fear is not, however, a political or religious event. “Through music, presentations, and video stories,” says Wilkins, “we invite you to enter into the experience of the refugee and see both the magnitude of suffering and resiliency of hope.”

Attendees may also view the exhibit now in the gallery space at Grace Centre—"(DIS)PLACED: Life As A Tent City Refugee” by photojournalist Jennifer MacDonald and exhibit designer Vanessa Bell. Many of the photos were taken when MacDonald traveled to Syria visiting refugee camps a few years ago.

Musicians performing at the event include Ten Cent Poetry, featuring the music of Asheville folk singer Chelsea Lynn LaBate, world instrumentalist Chris Rosser and percussionist River Guerguerian, as well as the blues-infused band Wattle&Dub.

Love > Fear is free and open to the public, although donations to groups aiding refugees are encouraged. The event will take place at Grace Centre, 495 Cardinal Rd., Mills River, from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, October 19. For more information see the website fusemedia.org.