::Voices Breaking Boundaries brings artists and issues from countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Colombia, Haiti, and Norway; local communities in West Houston’s large Vietnamese population and Houston’s Third Ward::

VBB's core productions are: Living Room Art, East End Live Art, and Cultural Narratives.

Living Room Art Shows

In December 2006 VBB established our Living Room Art Series, an innovative approach designed to bring art directly into residential communities in Houston. The Living Room Art Series was created by artist Oskar Sonnen who based the idea on historic art salons, and the less formal living room exhibitions of his college days.  The Living Room Art Series are "one night stands,” open to the public and taking place in private homes throughout the city.  The goals of Living Room Art are: to bring together disparate neighborhoods and communities; to bring together diverse populations who may not ordinarily go to a gallery/museum; and to tackle social justice through art.  All VBB Living Room Art shows are multidisciplinary. As such, the shows allow space for spoken word artists, writers, performance artists, and musicians.

East End Live Art

East End Live Art Productions consist of 8 monthly artistic presentations that include an open mic forum. These multi-disciplinary collaborative events, curated by Sehba Sarwar and community members and artists, tackle current issues in the community, such as the effect of Hurricane Ike, the election, the economic crisis, war, and racism. The goals of the East End Living Art Series are to revive VBB's history and celebrate its base audience; reach out to new audiences, including marginalized Houston communities, including students; and to give audience members a voice, a mandate of VBB since its inception.

Cultural Narratives

Cultural Narratives features international figures who share personal writings, films, radio shows etc., about social justice issues. Featured Cultural Narrative Artists include Tariq Ali, Imran Aslam, David Barsamian, Beena Sarwar and many more.

Quotes

I got a different perspective on the Bangladesh history and cultural background. Also, yesterday’s films were very enchanting to me, especially The Forgotten Army.
– Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

I thought the format was excellent and the films were wonderful. The panel discussion was informative.
– Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

I am glad to see these kinds of films. It helps our new generation understand the background. We will like to see more like these. Thanks.
–Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

Very informative. Beautifully filmed. Very good forum to bring Hindu’s, Muslim’s, and Christian’s together to express opinions. Also, shed light (some) on underlying tensions of conflicts.
–Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

Thank you for dedicating this time to focus on woman’s issues that are many times ignored. Thank you for putting the effort into putting on this film festival.
–Audience member, Traveling Film Festival South Asia, February 2001

Thanks for the great weekend. It was a real pleasure for me and a great experience. Thanks for all the hard work you did to make it so fantastic an experience.
—Anthony Arnove, Words for Peace, September 2003

I feel very grateful being a part of such a splendid group of artists, and honestly, not just out of politeness, let me exclaim: "I' not worthy!” It was an exhilarating experience for me which I wish to repeat over and over.
—Yvonne Gerych, Flow, February 2003

I really enjoyed working on the show. Lise was amazing to work with, and everyone else was delightful as well. I want to thank you and VBB (especially Shaista Parveen) for inviting me to participate, and I look forward to working with VBB in the future.
–Debra Matthes, Flow, February 2003

The exhibit that VBB asked me to create impassioned me to an extent that I had not felt in years. It drew me out of the funk I felt studying engineering and caused me to switch my major to Visual Art.
–Photographer Eric Hester, Translating Intimacy, March 2004

Thank you again for asking us to do this. It is a very special opportunity for us.
—Paul Hester, Translating Intimacy, March 2004

So glad we came. All the way home we discussed ways we might make ourselves more useful…A stellar event. Truly, truly. How --what can we do? To help VBB DO even more?
—Audience member, Artists and Dissent, May 2004

Thank you for all the hard work the VBB community put into bringing us there… I really appreciated the detail that went into bringing us to Houston. Kudos to VBB! Y’all are a tight community. Our residency with you was one of the best we’ve experienced
– Anida Esguerra, Mango Tribe, Words for Peace, September 2004

The DiverseWorks show was brilliant. I notice that you were taping the show. Is a DVD copy available? What is the cost? I would like a copy… I want to wish you peace and prosperity in all of your future endeavors.
– Audience member, Words for Peace, May 2006

It was a very moving evening last night. The performances were great and there has not been anything as relevant or timely as this in a long time. What a crowd! Congratulations.
–Audience member, Words for Peace, May 2006