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Tessa Martinez - Tumultuous 2020

Tessa Martinez, a non-profit worker and artist, describes her experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, Martinez was working at the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum as the family and public programs manager. By the time the pandemic was in full swing, she was laid off and experienced financial instability. Despite the struggles Martinez underwent, she describes several positive experiences, which included becoming engaged. She outlines the past eighteen months in detail, ending with her return to the Peoria PlayHouse Children's Museum.

Interview Links

Feature Excerpt

Exploring Peoria

Abstract

Interview Session (Audio)


Photos

Caption:
Tessa Martinez pose on the right with her sisters, Ruby (top), Krista (left) and Renatta (bottom) in December of 2011.

Where:
Peoria, Illinois

When:
2011

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
From left to right, Renatta, Tessa, Ruby, and Krista Martinez stand together in August of 2017 in Laredo, Texas.

Where:
Laredo, Texas

When:
2017

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
From left to right, Tessa, Renatta, Krista, and Ruby pose after performing in April of 2018 at Renatta’s Quinceanera in Laredo, Texas.

Where:
Laredo, Texas

When:
2018

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption:
Martinez, in the back and on the right, poses with her students at the Romain Arts and Culture Center in June of 2021 after a lesson about Greek goddesses.

Where:
Peoria, Illinois

When:
2021

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Martinez examines clay while hiking in the Smoky Mountains National Park in August of 2021.

Where:
Smoky Mountains National Park

When:
2021

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Martinez holds up a salamander she came across while hiking in the Smoky Mountains in August of 2021.

Where:
Smoky Mountains

When:
2021

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Martinez trains the PlayHouse staff for a collage making workshop she designed for the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum in October of 2021.

Where:
Peoria, Illinois

When:
2021

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo

Caption:
Martinez instructs students in a fossil workshop birthday party at the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum in November of 2021.

Where:
Peoria, Illinois

When:
2021

Ownership:
Narrator’s photo



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