Creating Community Through Art
When we work together, we grow together.
As we bloom in the womb, our futures are unknown. Our bodies are fragile, and we depend on the attention of our caregivers to survive. With the proper treatment, we can thrive.
When we are young, everything is new and exciting. We haven’t yet experienced major failures and disappointments. As long as we allow others to help us with our development, we can overcome setbacks and become stronger.
The more difficult times we encounter, though, the harder it becomes to trust people. Some of us begin to feel alone, and we struggle with low self-esteem. At these times, we are like plants withering, craving nourishment. But art and creativity give us more of a glow—a safe haven where we can rediscover ourselves and heal.
Of course, like plants getting too much water, spending too much time creating in isolation can feel suffocating. At these times, community is vital. When we share our art, we lift each other up, watering each other’s plants.
I have been like the plant withering, away from the sunlight and the rain, away from the people who help me grow…
