In this, our flagship class, we draw from our experience as artists and human beings to have a dialogue arising from our life together here in community and in the larger society. In an atmosphere of trust and safety, and inspired by song, images and story, we will listen to and learn from the voices of our sisters and brothers from communities represented in our circle. We gather at Common Ground on the Hill in our 31st summer in the midst of a profoundly challenged world stricken by climate disasters while continuing to emerge from a pandemic, financial and ecological crises, wars, neverending nuclear threats, racial crises, the continued unveiling of systemic abuse, issues of immigration, deportation and survival, the omnipresent threat of terror both foreign and domestic, and counter-productive divisive politics. Yet, we also find ourselves at a time of potential for great, needed change. We shall discuss and consider what we are doing, as artists and individuals, to bring about the changes and create the communities that we desire. Come to this class and be inspired by the work we do.
Facilitated by Walt Michael.
NOTE: The Search for Common Ground does not run during this week.
Traditions Week 2 Speakers:
Monday: John Damond reflecting on his extensive knowledge of Anne Frank and the Holocaust.
Tuesday: legal scholar John Willis will lead a dialog about his Monday evening keynote about politics and art.
Wednesday: Professor Carol Zaru, returns to us to share what her family and life-long friends on the West Bank have endured since her lecture last year.
Thursday: Veterans Semmi Cole & Josh Hisle will bring us up to speed about the work and future of the Veterans Initiative.
Friday: muralists Don & Ellen Elmes will address how, not only murals but the arts in general, can build community.
Traditions Week 3 Speakers:
Monday: David Carrasco, who will lead a discussion about his documentary about his father, Coach Carrasco, a fearless pioneer in the integration of collegiate basketball.
Tuesday: Drew Shuptar-Rayvis, with Jess McPherson, to consider what it means to be knowledge keepers, tradition bearers and cultural ambassadors in their tribal communities.
Wednesday: David Damian Figueroa and Rita Danks will bring us up to speed about the latest realities of immigration and deportation on the Arizona border.
Thursday: Sarah Star will help us examine democracy and the paths to its renewal.
Friday: Lea Gilmore, gospel and blues artist, will share her work as Minister for Racial Justice & Multicultural Engagement at Govans Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.
