Community storyteller, public arts catalyst, ballet comms lead, & playhouse sound engineer
Inspo for creative doing/being every week
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”
-Oprah Winfrey
“Making new core memories with my parents” was not on my 2026 vision board. It wasn’t part of my big, bold, beautiful plans for starting my 31st trip around the sun.
But, what an oversight that was.
This year, I’ve spent more hours holding my parents’ hands, asking them about their life story, giving them shoulder massages, leading them down literal memory lanes, and sharing in their favorite pastime (gardening) than the past 5 years combined.
A prior version of me would have predicted: “at 30, you’re probably still taking your parents for granted, stalemating over past wounds, and cancelling weekend plans because ‘something came up.’” But, I’m not. I’m ditching “fun plans” to be with them. Because, I can’t think of anything more fun than spending hours laughing over (way too much) home-cooked food, watching them tease each other over habits they’ve solidified over the course of their long marriage, recounting stories that have been told a thousand times (and, some, for the first time), and creating mundane yet momentous memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
And, this alternative reality feels profound. It feels urgent, even. And, it feels like home.
So, here’s a little reminder: if you’re surprising a past version of yourself by acting differently or making different choices, it probably means you’ve grown and evolved somewhere along the way.
Hopefully, you can set aside self-judgement for both the past and present you and lean into the reality of how all your life experiences and learnings have shaped you.
Quick reminder to join us for…
Live Conversation with Nicole Garfunkel, personal stylist for people in eating disorder recovery, tomorrow (7/22) at 11am PST. Add to your calendar here.
A Summer Picnic in collaboration with Creative Lunch Club in Berkeley, CA this Friday (7/24) at 12pm PST. RSVP here.
Summer Vision-boarding: A Mid-Year Reset & Manifestation Party on 7/29 in Berkeley, CA at 6pm. Get tickets here.
And, our July Possibilities Club on 7/31 at 3pm PST over Zoom. Open to paid subscribers only. RSVP here.
Welcome to our dream-board, a weekly column that was born from an IG story and this little thread in our community chat!
Straight to your inbox every week: I’ll be rounding up creative opportunities, fellowships, workshops, brick and mortar offerings, and other creative voices and resources to help you pursue a life of creative abundance!
Initially, all subscribers will get access to this weekly board. Eventually, we’ll be limiting this column to paid subscribers only. So, dig in now (and tell us what you want to hear more of)!
Weekly Dream-Board
Looking for an opportunity to position public art as a catalyst for community identity, civic pride, economic vitality, and cultural expression? The Greater Columbus Arts Council is hiring its Art in Public Places (AiPP) Director.
Are you a storyteller with a vision that reflects the spirit of Los Angeles and its diverse cultural mosaic? As LA prepares to host its historic third Olympic & Paralympic Games in 2028, PBS SoCal invites local storytellers to help capture the city’s legacy and transformation through their Community Storyteller Initiative.
Do you enjoy overseeing creative production as well as managing creative vendor partnerships? The San Francisco Ballet is looking for their next Brand Strategy & Communications Lead.
Are you an arts educator with experience developing teams and organizational direction? Flint School of Performing Arts, one of the largest community schools of the arts in the country, is hiring their next director.
Do you have experience mixing large-scale musical productions and live orchestra? Cumberland County Playhouse is looking for a new lead sound engineer.
Volunteer opportunities
NextGen Pallete is a vibrant, inclusive marketplace built to empower young, underrepresented artists from around the globe. Currently, they’re seeking volunteers to serve as International Arts Community Leads (remote, online).
If you are passionate about working with community youth and have a background in dance based in IL, Restoring Our Youth is looking for a volunteer head dance coach.
Crescent Hospice supports the healthcare needs of residents and caregivers in Orangeburg, SC, and are looking for music therapy volunteers to share the healing power of music with patients and their loved ones.
With zeal and gratitude for this creative life,
Vanessa