Acknowledging Impact
Who is someone that really listens to you when you talk, and how has that affected you? Deep listening is an underrated skill, a rare instrument to be learned and performed synchronously and thoroughly harmonious; rendered in sequence, disguised as sheet music. If I cannot listen with intention and without distraction, I am not capable of understanding the basic fundamental principle of community service.
Cultured Seeds Inc hosted our 5th Art Showcase “Backyard Gems” on November 17th. We challenged the community to paint around the theme Appreciation. A new addition was added, “ Table Talk” which allowed individuals to reflect, listen and engage in meaningful conversation with one another. Often times we neglect expressing gratitude for ourselves and others; this establishes a culture of dissociative humanity. Captivated mindsets meets Isolated solicitousness. The remedy? Reconstructing pipelines of power and prioritizing spaces intricately crafted to pay homage and strengthen community ties. We have to acknowledge the impact we have on each other and the role we play as illustrators of life, humanity and love.
Something we’re deeply appreciative for is ‘Community Intimacy’. That feeling of closeness and relational networking, even in a crowd small enough to hear the bellows of waves crashing and leaves rustling.
Inevitably, the ‘Gallery walk’ witnessed amazing contributions offered as tribute. Though many of the paintings were close in score, three pieces stood out the most.
Top 3 Artist of the night:
Satoinee Jackson (Student leader, Sister & Community Advocate) She/They
Grisanti Avendaño (Healing Justice Director, Poet & Coach ) She/They
Hannah Esqueda Freeman (Communications Director, Wife &’ Community Advocate) She/Her
These amazing individuals provided show-stopping masterpieces for our Gallery Walk and of course, shared more about what inspired their final product. The remaining participants received a personalized jar filled with a set amount of coins for their contribution, which is associated with our CHANGE lab as a way to pay homage, restore and put resources back into our community. Backyard Gems, because we owe it to ourselves to prioritize mental health, heal, build each other up and around, and end the cycle of generational trauma.
Asè