2022 | Year In Review
Every New Year’s Eve, I do a little recap of the past year. I do this because it’s important to pause and celebrate our wins. The accomplishments and highlights from this past year do not belong to me alone. The only reason any of my mission-driven work is possible is because I am a community supported artist. This year has been a vibrant community effort and I’m excited to share my gratitude for all that we have created together.
Thank you all, especially those of you who contribute me through Patreon, for your incredible support. Your open hearts, your belief in my work as an independent artist, and your commitment to the creative soul of our community is so life affirming. I literally could not to this work without you. You have my deepest gratitude.
Here are just some of the ways in which your support has buoyed my work in the world and created ripples of impact:
This year I attended my first ever art residency at the United Plant Savers Conservancy in South-western Appalachia. This culminated in the creation of my newest art series called What Lies Beneath, which premiered at the Carnegie Arts Center in Baker City, OR.
This May, I graduated as a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum of Oregon. This was a one year cohort that took me and 19 other leaders all over the state.
Then in October, I applied for and was named ALF Oregon’s new Executive Director. This job is right at my learning edge, but I also feel DEEPLY called and well-prepared to step into this emergent and important work.
Thanks to the amazing support of my Patreon community, we were able to continue producing the Collaborative Alchemy Podcast. Our guests this year included Kelcey Anya, Marla Teyolia, Yusef Seevers, Thelma de Castro, Dom Magwili, Myriam Loeschen, and Evangeline Stott. There are currently seventeen episodes available and more on the way!
I delivered 12 months of The Creative Alchemy Cycle to an incredible community of seekers, creatives, and thought leaders!
This year, I was able to perform three free public music concerts in Eastern Oregon. Thanks to Curt Terrall (guitar), Jack Greenman (drums and vocals), and Greg Plano (guitar and bass) for making music alongside me!
I am the lead playwright and project manager for The Urban Rural Theatre Project and this year, we expanded our creative team to include 3 students form Lewis & Clark College. This is a verbatim theatre piece which explores the question of the urban / rural divide in the state of Oregon, which will have its first public reading in April of 2023.
This year, Myriam Loeschen and I worked together as co-facilitators with Joy Facilitation. It was an incredible year in service to organizations seeking right-relationship, equity, and a justice-centered culture shift. I am beyond grateful for this experience in the field.
In November, I attended my second art residency at Wallowa Lake Lodge in Joseph, OR to work on my script for the Urban Rural Theatre Project.
Oh, and I also took the trip of a lifetime this past August with my Mama and traveled to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Norway. This was definitely the highlight of the year!
Actually, the real highlight of the year happened this September when I came out to my entire community. That’s right! Your girl is GAY!
There are so many ways this community has collectively delivered delight, support, and nourishment in 2022. Here are some of the ways in which our mutual care efforts have manifested this year:
We provided six full-coverage equity sponsorships for an entire year of the Creative Alchemy Cycle.
We offered reduced equity pricing for e-courses, retreats, and oracle readings to 19 people.
We shipped seven complimentary care packages, delivered with LOVE, to BIPOC women artists.
We made twelve months of recurring donations to Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment (org)
We made twelve months of recurring donations to Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland (org)
We made twelve months of recurring Patreon pledges to eleven independent BIPOC & LBGTQ artists. You can read more about these mission-driven donations HERE.
This year I was able to host three free open studio events.
Thank you, dear readers, for making this catalytic year so beautiful and meaningful in the face of challenge and strife. As the calendar turns over into a new year, I am holding you all close to my heart. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe it.
((If you're interested in previous years, you can take a look back at 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.))