by redclay | Jul 16, 2021 | Improvisation
It’s hard to capture the power of improvisation with one photo (especially if the photographer is me) but this is what we have. Despite the air conditioning giving out in 95 degree heat, our improvisation teacher led 10 really cute little kids through an hour (!) of improv scenarios at Casa Chirilagua. Many Latino families live in this part of Alexandria, and this area (called “Arlandria” since it borders Arlington) was hit hard by the ravages of COVID-19. The disease, job loss, income loss, food insecurity, struggles with at-home schooling, etc., all showed up in force in Arlandria, and the Alexandria community as a whole really focused their efforts to help our neighbors living here.
By the time I arrived, improv class was ending, but I was able to capture the last game where the kids were pretending they had just landed in Guatemala. Some of these kids or their parents were born there, and these kids seemed to really enjoy an imaginary trip home. Not sure why one little girl in denim overalls is lying on the floor. It must have been part of the game. Or maybe she was just worn out?
by redclay | Jul 4, 2021 | Visual Arts
Wednesday, July 1, was an exciting day, and not just because it is July! We held our first event with the Alexandria nonprofit Space of Her Own – a wonderful mentoring program for preteen girls. What better way to kickstart our new relationship than our She-Art project? We got to know each other over Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap (one of my fave Alexandria pizza places, btw) then our amazing Alison McHugh led 12 girls and mentors through creating their own avatar with their own motivational phrase(s) on a 6″ x 6″ tile.
Over the next two hours the girls selected “She creates from her heart” “She turns her dreams into reality” “She makes everyone feel loved” and more as they focused on phrases that resonated with them while creating themselves with colored paper, scissors, glue, and imagination. We ended our session – way too soon – with everyone sharing their new masterpiece and why they chose and created what they did. Til next time, SOHO! We loved hanging out with you and can’t wait to do it again!
by redclay | Jun 30, 2021 | Visual Arts
June 28, 2021 – Who doesn’t need an affirmation every once in awhile – or every day – to remind us of our awesomeness? Sometimes it’s hard to remember our unique and special selves, especially on those days when the rest of the world seems to say otherwise. So, our Heard artist Alison McHugh led the Friends of Guest House women through this wonderful papercraft class where they each chose their own affirmation (pre-printed, or they could create their own) and designed cards that they can place on a dresser, vanity, or desk to remind them of their greatness or to motivate them with love. What do you think?
by redclay | Jun 24, 2021 | Visual Arts
Who is your Super Hero? Wonder Woman? Batman? Or, as we did with the women at the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center in Alexandria, VA, we made our own. Our super heroes have magic in them that help us and help the world. Take a look at what creative and healing superheroes the inmates created under the guidance of our amazing Heard teacher Sharmila Karamchandani. Don’t you wish these superheroes really existed?
This creature has a calming face and body of strength. The red fingertips have healing quality. She comes into your life to make you realize your own beauty.
Meet the Pain Relieving Octopus! It has healing tentacles. Wherever you have pain the tentacles can heal you upon touch.
by redclay | Jun 18, 2021 | Poetry
Merry Toth, Friends of Guest House, June 14, 2021
My Journey Began
My journey began as a loved child
Spoiled and disciplined
Then when I became the age of choosing,
I chose the wrong path.
The path I chose was fun.
There was a boat ahead
And when I got in that boat,
I wasn’t given any oars.
One day I knew
One day after drifting,
That time had gotten away from me
And I looked into the water
And realized I was becoming an old woman.
I knew that I had let life get away from me.
I looked to the land and saw my family.
While I was drifting down the rocky stream
Filled with darkness and struggle,
They had light and laughter I could hear.
I had missed so much.
I yelled for help.
Someone came and got me.
But when I was thrown a rope
I had consequences to pay.
Determined to save the only life I could
The consequences I had to pay
For the life I had no direction
But darkness had its consequences
Waiting at the shore.
Put in a cell where I could reflect
On the life I did not have and the things I had done
While drifting in the dark with no oars.
A demon had attached itself to me,
And directed my life and had chains on me,
but invisible they were,
but there all the same.
This time in a cell gave me time to think
About what to do now.
A new life awaited me.
Was I going to get back in that boat
And put the chains back on, or
Choose a new path?
A path full of life,
No longer being controlled by the demon that was my closest companion,
but my worst enemy who only wanted my soul.
Today, I have chosen life.
The years in the boat adrift I learned many lessons.
I am able to be a strong woman.
I have chosen God to direct my life.
No more chains, but
Freedom at last.
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