Finding Connection in the Practice: Veterans Day 2023

Finding Connection in the Practice: Veterans Day 2023

“The word for love, habib, is written from rightto left, starting where we would end itand ending where we might begin.” from “A Soldier’s Arabic,” by Brian Turner Since I first encountered the poem, “A Soldier’s Arabic,” I’ve been ruminating on the lines in this...
Independence, Interdependence, & Growth

Independence, Interdependence, & Growth

“Modern nations are principally defined by the stories we tell about our collective selves: our victories and defeats, our heroes and foes; our distinctive values and ways of being, all of which are encoded in the tales we tell and enjoy.” Will Storr, The Science of...
Giving Belonging, Receiving Community

Giving Belonging, Receiving Community

Among the most awkward – but most important – things we’ve had to do to sustain and grow Community Building Art Works is ask our friends and supporters for the money necessary to run our programming. But from the start, in order to expand our reach and pay our...
A Container For What We Carry: Veterans Day 2022

A Container For What We Carry: Veterans Day 2022

Veteran and poet, Ben Weakley reflects on life after service in this special Veterans Day blog post. As we approach Veterans Day, I’m re-visiting Phil Klay’s book of short stories, Redeployment. Perspective changes with time and distance, and my current experience...