Wow. wow. When you and your students asked the questions "what is a civic life?" and "what is art?" in the Creston neighborhood, I don't know if you imagined that one of its residents might step into your studio and become a part of the art. That's what I feel happened today. I endeavor to live a creative and expressive life. You and your students provided a place for me to do that today.
Interesting, the young woman sitting next to me told me that you had made a comment to the students about the optical place across the street symbolizing a new way of seeing. It was just after I picked up my new glasses from that place a few weeks ago that I crossed the street to my car and encountered one of your students sitting on the steps to the studio. I asked her what has happening there and she gave me the information that led me to today's discussion. Perhaps that optical place led us all to a new way of seeing and being.
Like the neighborhood and the storefront in which you were creating, I have been suppressing my true expressive nature for years, suppressing my potential. Just a year ago I literally struggled to open my mouth and make sound come out. My heart is full of desire for building community and for re-establishing intimacy with one another and within communities...I believe it is what will heal our neighborhoods and the entire planet, but I haven't been expressing this. I have taken many steps in my own healing this last year and today was the first time in YEARS that I actually opened my mouth and fully expressed what was in my heart (not my head) to relative strangers. Art provided the catalyst for me to do this. Civic Studio and listening to the ideas, questions, and desires of your students provided the catalyst for me to do this. Afterward one of your students described me as "having courage" to come and fully participate today in a room full of strangers. I thank her for that. It does take courage to express ourselves, our art, and our desires...especially to strangers.
What is a civic life? For me it is agreeing to fully engage with those around us...being present in each moment with one another, stranger or friend, like we did today in the studio. We must engage!
What is art? For me it's expressing our innermost desires to one another in whatever medium feels right...clay, paint, ink, a rainspout with plastic tubing and some water, clothing, my voice.
Thank you and your students for creating a place of artistic integrity and personal authenticity. In honoring your creative desires you brought a once empty building and this once timid neighbor to life for a few moments.
One of the ideas on your flier reads "Value the idea of reciprocity in relations with others: give and take - take and give" Through you I am inspired to express my self more. I hope in some way I have inspired you.
Great project Professor! Please feel free to share this with your students.
Beth Lively