The topic of justice is one that can be particularly relevant to our community. As I was considering what to present for our session, I heard a radio show about a young teenager, only 13 years old at the time of his conviction, who spent 18 years in solitary confinement. Ian Manuel was just a kid when he was locked up, with the intention that they would throw away the key. His story is not one of heartbreak, though, it is one of redemption and the power of the human mind and imagination. He describes how while he was in prison he was able to imagine what his life would be like when he was released. He imagined bringing awareness regarding the cruelty in the prison system. Ian was released on 11/11/16 and now dedicates his life to bringing awareness and justice for prisoners. He also writes powerful poetry. For this week's Art Garage we asked the kids to watch and reflect on the poem Uncried Tears. You can hear Ian share this poem on CNN here. We then asked them to write a poem or paint a picture that reflected their thoughts about what they had seen. Our kids are pretty deep thinkers, for the most part. They have seen a lot more at their young ages than most adults see in a lifetime. But they are also just kids, and have the sweet, gentle, open-hearts as kids should. So when one of our new Kindness Ambassadors asked if she could write a song that was not about the poem, of course the answer was yes. Her song was so filled with joy, that I simply can't stop singing it. Please check it out, and share the joy of family, happiness, and your favorite ice cream! https://drive.google.com/file/d/119MaMkQ1FsKj2qTj-rk01t3WLLRhYmDn/view?usp=sharing
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The Community House Art Garage is working to create a better world through creative expressions of peace. We are Ambassadors of Kindness, hoping to spread more goodness into the world. Each month we follow a theme based on the universal strengths and positive character traits of ALL human beings. These were discovered through a cross cultural, world-wide study looking at the best of human beings. The researchers found 6 core themes. This month we are celebrating Justice, and so we welcomed in another Ambassador of Kindness, Chief Demario Boone. He himself is organizing positive, safe community events for Peoria youth in his Lights On Peoria program. It is easy to get caught up in our differences, and find ways to create division and separate us from one another. The strength in our community and in our world come from us seeing our shared goals and values and working to bring those into the forefront of our lives. When we work together for good, we can change the world! Join us at the Community House Art Garage to have fun, and connect to your neighbors! The Core Domains of Virtues 1. Wisdom and Knowledge: creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, perspective, innovation 2. Courage: bravery, persistence, integrity, vitality, zest 3. Humanity: love, kindness, social intelligence 4. Justice: citizenship, fairness, leadership 5. Temperance: forgiveness and mercy, humility, prudence, self-control 6. Transcendence: appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, spirituality |
Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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