Engagements Portfolio

Engagements Portfolio: Presentations, Publications, & Speaking Engagements

Besides the blog, I continue to work on projects that I find interesting and allow for me to push my desire to be more creative and relevant. Recently and when possible, we will post those happenings on this page as both information and to grow a portfolio.

2024

Photopia - "Living Light"

Selected as one of 35 photographers to exhibit at the Annual Photopia Photographic Summer Competition held at the Hastings Arts Forum in the United Kingdom. The theme of the competition is “Living Light” … photographers live with light, and everything capture is illuminated by light. The challenge is to create images that convey and expand this idea. The exhibition has permanently migrated to the Photopia website. Click here to view the exhibition https://photopia.org.uk/exhibitions and then click my name to see all of the photographers.

My photo story, entitled “A Mayan Ritual” is on page 211 – 219. Click below to view.

https://marcelborgstijn.substack.com/p/darkrooms-magazine-issue-3-photostack

2023

Honoree Recipient of the Hilda Hidalgo Award held at La Casa's 50th Anniversary Gala

Honoring one of New Jersey’s fiercest advocates for equal rights and the Madrina; (or Godmother) of La Casa, Hilda Hidalgo. La Casa presented the Hilda Hidalgo Award to longtime Board Advisor and friend, Grizel Ubarry. Check out the video below to learn more about Grizel’s journey and impact. Filmed, edited, and produced in Newark, NJ by 3yrs2Life Productions.

2023

In December 2023, I served as a moderator to a panel of experts in the utilization of art as an economic development tool in the revitalization of historically black and brown communities. So much gratitude for the opportunity to have worked over the last 15 years assisting the Ten North Group (formerly Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation) create and implement a “creative place-making/ place-keeping strategy” using art, culture and architecture in rebuilding communities without displacement. For Art Basel week, Ten North were able to sponsor five exhibitions that showcase the African Diaspora of both Africa and the Caribbean as well as presented the first phase of the City Terrace development that will support 493 mixed income, multigenerational residential units and over 20,000 square feet of commercial space to break ground in 2024. So excited to continue to serve as a board member of the Ten North Art Foundation advancing its creative placemaking work.

See below a video of the week’s events and activities.

2022

Featured in the CanvasRebel.com magazine in May 2022. The magazine highlights stories of artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs who share what their experiences have been in building and growing a business, a client base and generating a living from their creativity. The magazine offers articles on strategy, leadership, trends, and creative pursuits for up-and-coming leaders. Click below to read about my work in the community development field.