“If you know that terror is approaching in terms of hurricanes, and you’ve already seen the damage they’ve done in Florida and elsewhere, what in God’s name were you thinking?… I think a lot of it has to do with race and class. The people affected were largely poor people. Poor, black people.”

–Rev. Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, quoted in New York Times

Dear Friends,

In September I will be continuing the OUTSIDE THE ARK TOUR. I am writing to ask if you will help me think of venues in any of the states below that might be interested in hosting an event. The events themselves will be similar to what I have been doing so far, a storytelling/slideshow presentation, which will include Outside the Ark as well as additional stories and paintings inspired by people and events from the first leg of the tour. The presentaion is followed by a period of discussion, which often includes looking at non-violent alternatives to occupation and war. In addition to the presentation and discussion, I will be exhibiting drawings and/or paintings from the book and tour. If your state (or country) isn’t on the list and you would like it to be, let me know.

My tentative route:

September: NC, TN, KY, IN
October: IL, WI, MN, IA, MO, (OH–Toledo?)
November: KS, CO, NM, AZ
December: CA, AZ
January: NM, TX, LA, FL
February: GA, SC, NC
March: VA, MD, NJ, PA
April: CT, MA, NY

Possible venues include:

High schools, colleges, universities
Religious institutions
Community centers
Bookstores
Galleries (including public spaces such as libraries)
Book fairs
Storytelling venues
Private homes
Gatherings related to Palestine
Gatherings in which there is a theme of telling the stories that don’t get told and/or using art as activism.

Thanks.

Ellen

But I’ve found a driver and that’s a start

The event went well last night. 28 came–pretty good for an island of 800. A teacher invited me to come back and meet with the high school students. And Jeanie offered to set up events in St. Paul. I need to get out a map and start charting a route.

I have been riding a bike around the island today. To the ocean, down sandy streets and past a grassy lot with campers, where I stopped and looked around. There are not any trafic lights here. No movie theatres or fast food restaurants. This morning sat down to a lumberjack’s breakfast with Claudia and Ann, and Jeanie and Nancy, two others staying at Ann’s B&B. We spent a long time talking about experiential learning and institutional develpment. Jeanie works as an assistant to the president at U. of Minnesota. Nancy teaches world issues to high school seniors. They’re coming to the event tonight. Tomorrow morning, Claudia and I will take the 7am ferry to head back to Durham.

I may be looking for dog looking for a home. A dog that likes to travel.

Heading out to North Carolina’s Outer Banks this morning with Claudia and her dog Zak. We’ll visit my brother Joe for his birthday. Go kayaking. And tomorrow to Ocracoke island where my friend Ann is organizing a book event. Ann, a member of the Zen Peacemaker Organization, has reportedly covered the island with event flyers. Ann: “Wherever you go, there you’ll be”.

I’ve been thinking more about living out of a camper. Anyone read Rahl Dahl’s “Danny the Champion of the World”? Mom, do you remember?

My current plan is to take the paintings with me on the next leg of the tour. Similar to the Eyes Wide Open tour, I’d like to hang the paintings in public areas, such as bus depots, for three or four days. Then move on to the next site. I may need to get some funding to pull it off. If anyone knows of grants to consider, please let me konw. Also if you know of a camper for sale–nothing too big.