Artist-in-Residence Culmination Celebration: Stories, Reflection, & Dessert

Join us for a month-long artist residency inviting people of all backgrounds into story and connection. In “Just Like a Book, More Than My Cover,” Ferene Paris of All Heart Inspirations creates space for a multi-generational dialogue around self-identity, outward appearance, and the stories we carry. Come for a performance, a workshop, a story slam—or experience the full series. Ages 16+.

On the second floor, this cozy space feels like living room vibes meets coffee shop meets open mic.

 A space to be with story— room to express, witness, connect, or just be.

Session Three: Culmination Celebration – Stories, Reflection & Dessert
Thursday, March 26
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Doors open at 6:00 pm | Welcome & Opening Remarks at 6:30 pm

Join us for the culmination event of the Just Like a Book: More Than My Cover series—an evening to gather, reflect, and be in story together.

Ferene Paris, our featured artist-in-residence, will share stories from her connection to local libraries across Vermont, along with reflections from the March series. The evening officially kicks off at 6:30 pm with her welcome and storytelling performance.

After Ferene’s set, there will be an optional open mic for anyone who feels moved to share. There is no pressure to participate—storytelling spaces need both people who witness and those who express.

The evening concludes with Caribbean-inspired refreshments, including Ferene’s signature Haitian rhum cake and Jamaican sorrel by Thingz from Yaad.

Come as you are.

More about artist-in-residence, Ferene Paris 

Ferene Paris (she/her) is a storyteller and Black Haitian femme artist who creates heart centered spaces through live performances, interactive workshops, and community engagements. Known for living out loud with courageous truth-telling and vulnerable vibes, her work is rooted in love and purpose—inviting people to see themselves, one another, and their stories more clearly. 

For Ferene, this work is more than a calling—it is an honor. Each invitation to hold space feels like being welcomed into the community as the cool, queer Black Auntie who arrives simply to love on your people. She believes we all carry stories worthy of sharing, and her constant invitation is simple: What’s yours? 

That spirit led her to establish All Heart Inspirations in 2020—a vessel for storytelling-centered spaces that honor culture, people, and connection. Since its founding, Ferene has curated more than 200 offerings, including keynote addresses, artist residencies, campus workshops, story slams, and community rituals. All Heart Inspirations is a storytelling practice rooted in love, culture, and collective care. All Heart invites people to live out loud, tell the truth, and remember themselves back into community. 

A sampling of Ferene Paris’s work 

6th Annual Community Leadership Summit, Keynote address centering truth-telling, collective care, and community action: https://www.youtube.com/live/NjXJ55Fpwvg? si=U9SPZY7K8Dg1ik62&t=1860

Hartford School District, Keynote focused on belonging, voice, and storytelling as a leadership practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iapANWN6FGE 

PechaKucha Night Burlington – Thoughts on the Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=70WInYEAr7U

Homegoings: A Live Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l02styRITQ8