Seat of Joy: 2024-2025

In partnership with M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Seat of Joy is a community-made mosaic bench created for Marlow Heights Community Center. Hundreds of community members—including students from Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Temple Hills and volunteers from Empact Art—came together to bring this project to life.

The bench features words and phrases in 15 different languages, celebrating the rich cultural diversity that makes Marlow Heights a vibrant and thriving community.

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Spanish::Sonrisa -smile / Tu eres unico- you are unique / Jugar más- play more / Felicidad- Happiness / Paz y Amor- Peace and Love Felicidad- Happiness

Portuguese: Saudade- a warm nostalgic longing for home, family, and community. 

Zulu:-Ubuntu- I am because we are.

French:Joie- Joy - Calin- French- expression of affection calling for hugs

Tagalog(Filipino):Mabuhay- a joyful greeting that celebrates how great it is to exist together. 

Bengali:Dugga Dugga- a farewell wishing protection and safe passage

Yoruba:Iwo ni okan mi- you are my heart

Chinese (Mandarin): Love

Russian: joy of life 

Ukrainian: Be Yourself 

Amharic: laughter 

Japanese-:you have the strength in you

Korean:Joy