September 2021

Hi friends,

September has been a whirlwind! There have been big changes resembling life pre-pandemic. I have returned to teaching in the classroom and to creating art in public spaces, rather than on the internet. I'm still finding my way, and am really enjoying being around humans again.

Last winter, I spent a lot of time studying and thinking about how we can rebuild our society and develop Communities of Care. There is an “Over Dinner” series recorded on Zoom from this past winter, talking with local community members about Communities of Care. The time I spent thinking about Communities of Care led to a participatory art project that I installed at the Art Hop this year, titled “from COVID to Community”. It is now available online as well.

I was able to share "The Opposite of Hate is Mending" at the Art Hop.   This year's Art Hop felt like we were all doing some mending.

I also finished my work consulting with the steering committee of the 311 Poetry Walk project. This inaugural edition of the poetry walk was inspired by the connection of healing, nature, and revolution. It aims to transform the history of harm on the land and highlights Black and Indigenous poets connecting to this theme. The celebration was on September 12th. It is a beautiful piece of public art. Please enjoy it.

I'm excited for the change of seasons and the thoughtful change of pace that Autumn brings. It’s a time to start hunkering down and getting into projects that the flurry of summer didn’t allow for. It’s time for hot tea in your favorite mug, and the return of the cozy slippers put away at the end of last winter. A time to re-center our bodies and align with what is in front of us this season, and to tend to the seeds we planted earlier this year. 

          “The tiny seed knew that in order to grow it needed to be dropped in dirt,
            covered in darkness, and struggle to reach the light.” — Sandra Kring

Be safe, be there for each other, be well.

jen