We make the road by walking... an old proverb, cliche even, but words of wisdom which I find myself even more in need of these days than usual.
Spent the day at #MAMP2017 with an incredible cadre of artists, businesses, organizations, administrators and consumers of every type and genre of art you can imagine.
Thanks to a gracious last minute scholarship from #BrowardArts for this sold out conference, I got a whole lot of tips, tricks, advise and more importantly practice in translating what I do to an audience of potential donors, supporters, sponsors and funders. It was not an easy task by any means!
Definitely need a lot more practice to hone those communication skills to transfer my messaging to a group of investors, so different from the cozy, like minded social networks I'm used to operating within. Nope, this was my version of shark tank - and I actually get along quite well with sharks, just not humans who think like them! Far far removed from the ideals of community wellness and readiness for behavior change that are more familar terrain for me. Interesting thing is, though, the desired outcomes for influencing behavior, motivating action and evaluating impact still shine through! So maybe its just the process and jargon that seem so divergent. In any case, the day sure got me thinking, stretching, learning and appreciating the opportunity to meet some sparkling colleagues, allies and experts in this vast field we know as a fundamental right and necessity for all people of all ages... art.
This morning, in answer to a call from a young mother, I
packed up my water bundle and headed out across the street to the recently
restored wetlands, the only mixed use conservation area in our county. It was
only 9 am and already one of those long days when you have to make a whole
bunch of decisions regarding what path to follow, whether to stick to the plan,
or if not, which options to follow in pursuit of a day full of meaning, growth,
commitment, love, community and wellness. Another of those many days when one walks a precarious path
to that distant and elusive goal: balance…
At every turn the questions bubble, push or pull, stay or
leave, come or go… in which cases I tend to throw logic to the wind and do my
best to follow whatever instinct I can muster. So was this day, even at its
earliest point.
So I left the kids in bed, packed up the water bundle, and
headed out on the epic journey across the street. As soon as I arrived, I was
surprised at the park entry fee, which is only collected on holidays and
weekends, and of course I’d forgotten that today is in fact the beginning of a
long weekend. So I doled out my buck
fifty, and proceeded to find a spot in the nearly empty human half of the
conservation park area.
It was a minimalist type of bundle – water, water vessel,
cloth, a bit of Cuban cigar tobacco, and that’s about it. I did grow some
tobacco this summer, but it was so hot, my plants all got baked before they
bore any flowers! I’ll plant again now that #FloridaWinter’s arrived and it’s a
bit cooler…
As I troddled down the paved sidewalk that links the park
entry way with the wetland trail for humans, I was met immediately by an
incredibly beautiful mature bald eagle swooping around just above the over
water bridge trail. What a welcome greeting!
I somewhat sheepishly did my best to capture the moment on cell video
and then put away the phone and enjoyed the swoops and circles the eagle made
before heading out to the north.
A video posted by Tara Chadwick (@bawshkeengwabigun) on
Pleased that my intentions seem to have already been
received, I continued down the path until I reached the westernmost edge of the
eastern lagoon. Such a gorgeous mix of native water plants, grasses, sedges,
trees and wildflowers! Terry the ranger says that this waterway running alongside
the Florida Turnpike was once part of the canoe trail into the everglades. I love the way that this field has been
converted – restored to its original topography – a wetland, lagoon, pineland
and live oak hammock.
After making my offerings of tobacco and songs, I spent a
moment wishing my boys were by my side rather than still tucked into bed, so,
in honor of the little one’s “thunderbird boy” creation earlier this month, I
left a “thunderbird woman” on the snow white sand for all to see, until the
next rain drops dance by to scoop her up for a whirl.
A photo posted by Tara Chadwick (@bawshkeengwabigun) on
As I snapped the last documentary pics, and wrapped up my
bundle to head back for my big babies, I was met by another incredible
surprise, the eagle was back, this time, circling over the east side of the
park, which is also the area where we live. This time, I felt like a happy
little human, skipping along, playing with the eagle, opening my wings and
pretending to fly.
I am so grateful for the work of all who are intentionally
and strategically building our communities, by sharing our histories, our
personal journeys, our goals, our triumphs. It is truly an honor to witness and
participate in putting together a path that will serve as a road, a guide, a
map for ourselves, our neighbors and our children in the inevitable times of both tragedy and
triumph that await just beyond the horizon…
For all those who celebrate this day as their New Year –
happy 2017 – and for absolutely everyone – let’s build!
It's Basel time here in South Florida. Art Basel Miami started out nearly two decades ago as a hoite-toite contemporary art show that corresponded to the longer running #MiamiArtWeek. This was in the days when Wynwood was still that part of town that nobody went to, unless you happen to live there, or you went looking with your family for a cheap pair of shoes factory-direct.
A photo posted by Tara Chadwick (@bawshkeengwabigun) on
Photo credit: Adrienne Chadwick
Wynwood these days is the heart of what an international influx of people-who-value-art can do in a community. Don't get me wrong, Wynwood is about Miami, and Art Basel is all about people coming to Miami to experience international contemporary art in the setting, that quintessential ambience that is South Florida.
And local folks are catching the Basel bug big time. Over the past ten years, more and more you hear Basel becoming part of the year round conversations on art, exhibitions and museum planning. It's an informal kick off, so to speak, of what we call "the season." No, not the holidays - the season extends way beyond them. It's that time of year when the leaves start changing and the bulk of our states 100+ million visitors start making their way through our ports and into our streets, shops and parking spaces. So when you're visiting Basel, your transportation experience will likely mirror the patience with which we Floridians take every October through April...
But overall we have come to love Basel - with all it's internationalism, luxury and let's face it, buying power. This art show is about featuring art with the hopes that it will be snapped up by one of the many big name art collectors, who is in turn, hoping that their chosen pieces will beat the markets in their return on investment.
Turns out, art is as good an investment as any - and there's no shortage of amazing artists here in South Florida - we're just in need of a bit more encouragement into the realm of fearless innovation to spark our creativity outside the boxes that we all grow so comfortable with here, maybe it's the marine soil. So, in a way Art Basel's focus on international art is good for us, stretches our conceptions of what makes good art.
I'm looking forward to what Basel has in store for us this year... hoping to find some inspiration for the future of our species and the planet we inhabit... maybe some reflections of my wildest good dreams... and who knows, maybe I'll even find that one piece that will last a lifetime - one that includes some perspective on the world we're fighting to create... one based on investments in #truth #dignity #liberty #jutice
Just a few words this evening on the eve of Dias de los Muertos... a reminder, an encouragement, a perspective that is gaining traction in the spheres of business and policy innovation... I'm talking about that old adage: don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Right now, a battle is brewing on the prairie, yes, that very prarie we all used to watch with love in our hearts for the simplicity, tenacity and perseverence of those beloved characters... a battle not unlike that of Alcatraz, Sand Creek or Wounded Knee... a battle where our police, troopers and national guard are being deployed with military grade weaponry to wage war on unarmed, peaceful descendents of Sitting Bull, Geronimo, Crazy Horse, Chief Joseph. The crime? Attempting to protect our common water resources from destruction by an energy company determined to complete a 1000+ mile oil pipeline from the northern to the southern edge of that prairie.
The tactics haven't apparently changed much... surveillance, smear campaign, bait and switch, false victory, intimidation, humiliation, dehumanization, non-consentualexperimentalweapon test subjects... seems like we've been through this before... in the 1600's, 1700's, 1800's, 1900's and what's happening now is just a replay with a small upgrade in landing gear. It's gettin old & boring.
Time for the people who populate this island to wake up. Take note. Stop hitting the snooze button. And start acting as though we are the ones who are responsible for this state of affairs. This island is our responsibility and we need to acknowledge and then get down to it. Read. Be aware. Ask questions. Formulate solutions. Be tenacious.
Our future is based on the actions we take or choose to ignore today. A future based on development that considers Earth's resources as relatives to be respected and used as needed with kindess, love and appreciation... where everone's wellbeing, including those whose voices are not so easily heard, is accounted for... where the job goes not to the highest or lowest bidder, but the one who can demonstrate the capacity to incorporate everyone's voice... now that's a framework worth investing in!
No matter how great we become, we are all still children of our Mother Earth, it's her garden that feeds us, and her water that keeps on providing life for us all. Let's choose to work with her these next 10,000 years, shall we?
Florida Autumn is such a beautiful thing - Dia de los Muertos - planting season - the return of the monarchs and hummingbirds! We hadn't seen one of those in over two years, and finally, while working around a bountiful food forest last Sunday, one of the eagle eyed ladies spotted the faster-than-life hummer. An incredible reminder of the impact we each can make with intent, determination and focus.
This week we'll open up an exhibition of ofrendas again, the community artists have already put together their loving thoughts for the friends and relatives they wish to remember. Together, South Florida is relearning how to find ways to strengthen our connectedness to each other by knowing who we are, and sharing our stories across the many boundaries and barriers that too often keep us apart.
This month too, I'll offer a public workshop on the history, music and movements that come from our geographic and social relationship to Mesoamerica. It is so wonderful to sit here in this one spot and see all the connections there are to this place. History, maps, written accounts, people, objects, ideas... I see now why I needed to return here, there is so much to my own personal history that was stored away, waiting to be remembered, understood, from within the context of today.
We need to always fully utilize the resources we have available, and South Florida is most assuredly a media and ideas hub of the Americas. It's difficult to take a stand here on any item or even form an opinion because we are in a bed of hot political coals, and we never want to alienate potential donors, allies, funders... but there is so much that needs attention... Historic Preservation, Education, Arts Funding, not to mention water, climate change, and bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals.
We need a consistent, long term, multifaceted approach to keep each other motivated, on track and performing at our fullest. The good news is that there are lots of venues that are expanding to include multiple voices and perspectives using a variety of increasingly innovative methods.
All in all, it's been good to sit here and learn, observe, reflect and remember. I look forward to seeing everyone come by History Fort Lauderdale this month to spend some time reading the Ofrendas that have been built, and take a moment to contemplate what makes our own life worth living every day.
... I had just returned from my second summer of working with Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize to squeeze in what would be my last family vacation (to date at least). We had driven over to Sanibel Island, FL and explored the beautiful west coast of our home state. Upon the weather reports, we rushed back across Alligator Alley, Everglades, Fl to encounter a whole line of cars heading in the opposite direction.
Our hurricane prep had to be kicked into high gear, with only a few short hours until the predicted landfall. It was by far the scariest night of my life. Uncertainty. Humility. Unknowing. When in the midst of a natural disaster we are wholly and completely in the hands of mother nature. Eventually the sun rose again, and by noon the waters in our neighborhood had receeded. Having survived with our home more or less intact, we gingerly ventured out to survey the effects.
Of course there was no electricity. Or running water at first. But these services were restored within several hours to several days in our area. The olive trees were all down, uprooted, laying sideways on the ground. Electrical wires dangled dangerously throughout the neighborhood like strewn jump ropes. The park was a complete mess. But the most difficult part of all was the complete absence of communication with our family in the Homestead area. No phone. Internet did not yet exist for us, nor did cell phones. Land lines were inoperable. And we had no access to television because our electricity had not yet been restored... Those were the most difficult days, hours that seemed like months.
Once the electricity finally came back on and we were able to view the #TV #Broadcast coverage of the storm damage... we could not believe what we saw. Complete and utter destruction. Telephone poles snapped like toothpicks. Trees completely denuded of branches and foliage. Houses, apartments and businesses in ruin, reduced to a messy pile of concrete and wood from which they were constructed. That had been my first experience in a serious hurricane, there were many close calls before, but this... this was a direct hit and a hard one. Many families lost everything in that storm. We began to see the incredible destruction that the southern parts of #Miami had sustained, and unable to contact any of our family members, my dad and I loaded up water, blankets, food and first aid supplies and headed out. We were going on a search and rescue mission, not knowing what to expect or what we would find. It started out okay, more trees down, electrical wires hanging... but as we drove further south, the landscape began to change. This familiar route became more and more foreign to me. Housing complexes crashed in from the top. Areas once covered with tree canopy looking like open savannah. The #MiamiZoo campus, with its new aviary, completely unidentifiable.
Once we got off the highway, which had been somewhat cleared of the debris, crumpled metal signs and their poles had been moved out of the center lane onto the shoulder. It was even hard to know where to get off, the landmarks were all missing. The short journey from the highway to the neighborhood where my mothers grandmother lived was the most difficult part of all. There were command centers set up, long lines of people looking disheveled. Soldiers handing out water. As we got closer it seemed to get more difficult to figure out where we were. At this point, there were no trees in sight. Not a single leaf anywhere. Many homes we passed were in various states of collapse, yards were littered with random debris, aluminum siding, patio furniture, buckets. We finally managed to locate the house. It too was bare of trees, foliage, just the trunk of the giant avocado stood behind as a sentinel of sorts... but the house was still standing! We found a clear spot to park. Got out. And the door opened! I was so happy and relieved to find my three grandmothers all alive and relatively well. There were parts of the house that were in shambles, roof busted, but they were okay. We brought in the food, water, and supplies that we'd brought. Dad got to work with the chainsaw, clearing fallen trees from the driveway. And honestly, I don't even remember the ride home! All I know is that I was really happy that our search and rescue mission was successful. The rest is #history....
July! Last leg of the freedom of summer vacation. End of the carefree "lazy, hazy, crazy dayz of summer." Here in South Florida this is the time to prep for the possibility of the occasional hurricane. And in the meantime, we enjoy those summer fruit jewels - mango, mamey, and the family of annona. The heat is so intense but the sweetness of a tree-ripened tropical fruit is so very delicious!
Its that time to also start sending our thoughts toward preparations for fall. That means setting those marigold and milkweed seeds to germinate, as many as possible! Those monarch butterflies will be gliding through our greater everglades flyway before you know it and in our overdeveloped coastal areas, this means we need to plant more milkweed! [Get your free milkweed seeds here.] Then we can start to plan for which veggies will go where and what soil conditions each needs... soil type is so crucial here in the tropics... northern gardeners really just don't get it!
Finally, it's that time to start thinking about ofrendas. This year's #SouthFloridaDayoftheDead Celebration will host free community workshops throughout the fall, including family friendly puppet, mask and ofrenda making. Follow South Florida Day of the Dead for event postings coming soon! There's also a couple of adult only events too, including Roast of the Calacas which offers a showcase of your best off-color puppet humor (call to artists coming soon). Applications are open for the community to participate as artists in the month long Ofrenda exhibit at History Fort Lauderdale. And everyone is welcome to dance, walk or roll in the November 2 Day of the Dead procession from Huizenga Plaza through the downtown historic district to Revolution Live.
In the end it's all a cycle, with art, love & planting holding it all together for us - let's work!
