clarity in a strange season

What a strange season we are in. I won’t list all the reasons why life is feeling uncertain, bizarre, frightening and off kilter, because I think you already know. 

Even in moments where things are chaotic, I try to remember what I do know, and all that is becoming more certain to me. I asked the social media hive what has been feeling clearer to them in the past 6 months. Here’s some of the grounding affirmations that they shared:

• I can be happy/find joy while still having struggles in my life

• My timeline is right for me

• I am exactly where I should be

• I can trust myself

• It can be easy

Strange seasons can teach us something about ourselves, about the world we want to live in and about the people we want by our side as we shape the future. For me, this is a season for tending to what matters most and building trust to do the hard and urgent work ahead of us.

This past Thursday I taught a workshop at Riverside Art Center as part of my 6-month long residency. We used photographs from local archives to create collages that reflect our hopes for the future of Ypsilanti. The collages were beautiful and so were the conversations that we had. 

Inspired by the archival images, we talked about: 

• The need for third places! It feels good to gather, create, laugh and talk. We don’t have as many spaces now as there used to be. 

• Interurbans! How cool it would be if we still had them.

• What happened to the roller rink that used to be in Ypsi? 

• How might we rethink the archive and make it more inclusive and expansive

• Ypsi has such a dynamic history. How can we create more opportunities to learn about history together? 

• What is the legacy of urban renewal in Ypsi? How is the past shaping the current conversations we are having about housing and development?

a collage created by a workshop attendee

While I really love the art component of workshops, the real magic is in who shows up, the space we create, and the conversations and connections that happen alongside the art-making. More and more I’ve been thinking about collage and workshops as a way to facilitate the pressing conversations we need to be having. Co-creating through workshops is a way to build deeper relationships, plant the seeds for new friendships and find ways to take action locally.

a collage created by a workshop attendee

I’ll be teaching another workshop called “Alternative Public Comment” on Sunday, August 18th from 2 to 3:30pm. Together we will make collages from Ypsilanti archival materials and discuss our desires for our neighborhoods. Come make art and make friends :)

press + other news

This month I was interviewed by Concentrate Media about my time as an artist-in-residence at Riverside Art Center. 

I’ll be featured in an upcoming book about creatives living and working in small cities and towns. Small Town Living is now available for pre-order!

My artwork is on the cover of the spring issue of Amistad, Howard University’s literary arts journal. 

I released new creative practice repetition reminders:
- IT WON’T LAST FOREVER
- SLOW GROWTH IS GOOD GROWTH
- THE INTERNET IS NOT REAL LIFE

I added new small paintings to my shop.

My work was featured in the latest issue of Mother Tongue magazine.

Thank you for supporting my work!