Join us as we explore how art, creativity and spaces of connection can help us care for ourselves and imagine a community where everyone belongs.
See you at Session 4 : Community Arts for Wellness & Belonging
Wednesday, September 2nd, 10:30am-12:00pm CT (9:30-11:00am MT) on Zoom
Art gives us ways to express ourselves and imagine a world of possibilities. It offers the opportunity to see the world from different experiences, connect across differences and take the time to connect with one another and imagine a world where we all belong.
During this last session, we will explore the connections between art, wellness and belonging. We’ll hear from community members who use creativity and art to build relationships, support one another, and create spaces where people feel connected and valued.
Join us to hear directly from local community leaders from Imperial, NE, share with us what is possible when neighbors come together to create a space where all belong. You will also hear from Cinthya, Cecilia & Wendy from Echo Collective – which provides the support and space for women who are immigrants and refugees in Lincoln, NE, to gather together and express their creativity and find comfort and joy with each other. We will also be having Josh Arias and Angelica Tapia from Impact Art who will let us know about the artistic transformations they do in local communities – everything from murals to connecting with youth. You will definitely not want to miss what may or may not be created during this session.
Meet our local speakers for session four!
Cinthya Romana
Cinthya was born in Mexico City and has lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, since 2000. She has a degree in meditation and holistic emotional therapy from Santiago de Chile. Her business is called Sanacion del Alma, and she guides people to transform their lives for personal and spiritual growth. Cinthya enjoys spending time with her four sons and friends in her free time. When she is not around other people, she enjoys traveling, meditating, exercising, and listening to audiobooks.
Cecilia Vargas
Cecilia was born in Mexico and has a small business called Best Knit, where she provides high-quality handmade products through crochet, knit, tatting, and weaving. In 2020, Cecilia graduated from ECHO Collective’s entrepreneurship program, and has worked with ECHO Collective as the Fiber Arts Program Manager since 2022.
Jo Leyland
Jo Leyland has been a resident and supporter of her community where she served in various administrative positions for the City of Imperial for 43 years. She is now retired and enjoys volunteering for causes that are important to her.
Tyler Pribbeno 
Tyler Pribbeno is an attorney practicing law privately in Imperial, where he was born and raised. He graduated from Chase County High School and earned degrees from Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska College of Law. Tyler has served on the Imperial Community Foundation Fund advisory committee since 2011, and also serves on the Board of Governors for Mid-Plains Community College.
Josh Arias
Josh Arias is the co-founder of the Kearney, Nebraska-based nonprofit Impact Art, which focuses on creating and promoting positive public art. Josh attributes his passion and direction in life to his upbringing. The son of El Salvadoran immigrants Josh was born in Los Angeles, CA, before moving to Lexington, NE. His parents instilled in him a selfless spirit and a knack for expression. Art was always part of his life. After graduating from Lexington High School in 2009, his life has continued to be filled with colors. Josh gave all different art mediums a try, but it was in spray paint that he found comfort. He attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he received a degree in social work, which illuminated in him a need to be a service-oriented leader. Finding healthy outlets for youth has been one of his primary focuses. Recently he’s also seen a need in advocating for mental health and stopping stigma around receiving help.
Angelica Tapia
Angelica is a Mexican-American Nebraskan artist and educator now living in Lincoln, Nebraska. She received her BFA with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Kearney in Nebraska (2021). She earned her MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a minor in Printmaking (2025). Angelica has been in a multitude of exhibitions across Nebraska and nationally, notably at Kindred at the MONA (Kearney, Ne), Gallery 1516: Ollas Artelatinx (Omaha, Ne), and an installation for Día de Los Muertos hosted by the Smithsonian (Washington, D.C.). She is also a designer, muralist, and teacher for Impact Art, an art-focused non-profit whose mission is to create and promote positive public mural art and mentor young artists across Nebraska.
(You can register for the series and attend whichever dates work for you!
Your Zoom link is unique just like you. To find your link to join, search your email for “Nebraska is Home: ‘We all Belong in Welcoming’ – Summer Welcoming Convening Confirmation”)
Please let us know what you need to be able to participate!
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that allow all participants to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Christa Yoakum (402-438-8853 x114, cyoakum@neappleseed.org) or Eric Garcia-Mendez (402-438-8853 x113, egarciamendez@neappleseed.org). We will try our best to accommodate requests.