Put together by Soft Landing Missoula , this exhibit pairs audio from interviews with beautiful portraits to tell stories of immigrants and refugees in Missoula. We all have ideas of what home means to us. This is true whether you have had one home, are displaced from a home, or have multiple homes in your life. Immigrants and refugees bring an incredible richness to their new homes, as well as unique experiences and views on the idea of home.
This project looks at one city - Missoula, Montana - and the new neighbors who have found a home here. We hope these stories are a part of understanding diverse experiences with home while also finding common connections across shared values of home. When the war in Ukraine erupted, Tanya faced an impossible choice: stay in her beloved Odessa, the city she called home, or venture into the unknown. But she knew she might not have the chance to leave later if the war continued to worsen.
So, she gathered her courage and left, holding onto the hope that she would one day return. Tanya's journey began with a temporary stay in the Netherlands, where she found refuge. The two months she spent there were unexpectedly comforting. Her sponsor, Jerry, a distant family member, provided a safe haven, renting a small house for Tanya and her daughter.
When the U. Life in Missoula is different, but in some ways, it's a welcome change. Tanya finds driving easier, the traffic less chaotic than in Odessa. She works hard, juggling two jobs, and finds solace in the busyness. After just over two years in Missoula, Tanya has found moments of joy in her new life. She has rekindled her passion for playing the guitar- encouraged by a gifted guitar from another long-time Missoula resident who is originally from Ukraine.
Back in Odessa, she used to play with friends, often strumming Russian and Ukrainian songs and now in Missoula, she has learned some American songs.
