I was invited to be the Featured Artist for the Redmond Arts Festival, through Vala Eastside. On July 8th, 9th and 10th, 2016,  I facilitated a community art project called, HOPE / Red Thread. This project invited community members to write out their hopes, dreams, wants, wishes and visions for the Earth, People and Life on Earth, and our shared Future. Then participants wrapped their hopes on iron "receivers", spoke their hope aloud, and connected their hope with other hopes on the board with red thread. 

There were so many moments concentrated in beauty and presence. I was brought to tears quite a few times. Children know what they want: "I want an end to violence." and "I dream of a world where all people have food and clean drinking water." and "I want to see a Pegasus!" and "I want a cat!" all existed seamlessly next to each other. People with strongly apposing dreams and wants, political and spiritually diverse dreams are woven next to each other with red thread. I counted 10 languages spoken! Some prayed when they whispered their hope aloud, and the air around them changed. Everything paused as they dropped in with full trust in the importance of naming their words out loud. Some were confused, and still participated, letting the spontaneity of the moment be enough. We didn't need to know the details of what others wrote, and we didn't need to think or be the same to work together and create a beautiful piece of art together.

In these times of unrest and change, may we find ways to come together in kindness, compassion, happiness, self understanding and HOPE. 

Below is a gallery of the progression of the project!