Reporting From Goddard

Returning to Goddard College for my third residency has been met with some resistance, like so many other things in my fast changing life lately. Feeling like there is still much work to be done at home, and precious time to be spent with my new husband, I had a hard time pulling myself away to embark on the long day of journeying it takes to get to Goddard.

Journeying aside, my first few days at Goddard have been colored by much stomach discomfort, as my body begrudgingly absorbs food it is not used to. Sigh.

Stomach aside, there have been some lovely instances of light while I have been here. I am so excited to see my friends, Natalie, Alessandra, Stephanie, Roslyn, and Laura, all of whom are my house mates. We make tea and talk through the night. We share music and sweaters for the cold temperatures here. Lily Yeh has been our guest artist these past few days, and has imparted to us a wonderful glimpse into her wonderful community art practice. I can see that she is very passionate about what she does, she is a hard worker, who isn't afraid to get dirty, and engage with those people who many would deem incapable of appreciating or making art. She explains her eighteen-year beautification project in North Philadelphia, where she made abandoned lots and condemned houses into public sculpture gardens with the help of community children and drug dealers. She noted the changes that occurred in the people she's worked with, in particular, a man she called "Big man," who had dealt and done drugs for many years. As the projects grew, "Big Man" decided that as long as he could make this art for his community, he would no longer need drugs. How lovely. She describes her time in Rwanda, working with genocide survivors and the "untouchables" to create dignity and beauty in their village. She is adamant about having everyone's voices heard in the planning and execution of these public works, and people who have never had a voice before have voices now, that will be seen by many. Such dedication.

It is just after breakfast now, and I must attend one of the many workshop presentations during our residency. More to come.

~Cara