In 2023, my travels along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way changed my life. The landscapes, culture, and history I encountered felt deeply familiar, resonating with my borderland home of El Paso/Juárez in unexpected ways. This experience offered me a new lens through which to explore joy—something I had rarely centered in my creative work before.

Since then, I have been determined to return. Last year, I had hoped to revisit Ireland, but instead, I traveled to Martha’s Vineyard after receiving the Poet and Author Fellowship from the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. That experience further affirmed my commitment to my craft and the importance of immersing myself in places that inspire my writing and art.

Now, this summer, I have the incredible opportunity to continue my journey as a resident at Watershed Studios in Galway, Ireland. While there, I will be working on a digital album book to accompany my forthcoming hybrid memoir, Sen time ntailty, and collating shadow boxes. This book marks a significant shift in my writing, embracing joy as a central theme while pushing the boundaries of my creative practice. I will also be collaging shadow boxes which will featured in an art exhibition at the end of my residency.

Residencies like this provide artists with dedicated time and space to create, but they often come with financial barriers. As a full-time mom and part-time academic tutor, funding this trip is a challenge. I have already bought my plane ticket and paid for the tuition. I just need funds to sustain my one-month stay. Your support will help cover food, art supplies, bus, and taxi fare. Any contribution, big or small, will bring me closer to my beloved Ireland.

Thank you for believing in my work and for helping me continue this journey of creativity, healing, and joy.