Rose, Jen

Jen Rose
Dallas, TX

“I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, found out three things: First, the streets weren’t paved with gold; second, they weren’t paved at all; and third, I was expected to pave them.” unknown Italian Immigrant.

St. Joseph is the patron saint of workers, particularly carpenters and those that work with their hands. Each year thousands of hard-working people come to our country with dreams of a better life and they accept some of the dirtiest, hottest, and most physically challenging jobs in the nation. This gold-leafed brick with "St. Joe" stamped into it symbolizes the hopes and dreams of those that move to the U.S. along with the difficult labor they are willing to do to make a better life for their families. I hope that this exhibition can help us see our immigrant neighbors as individuals with families, dreams, and ambitions.