Things are complicated. Assumptions, beliefs, stray thoughts, strident defenses, the distance between should and can and will–all play havoc with what we need to know to move through the world. One true thing. That’s the goal, find one true thing. It will lead you to the next and then maybe the next or the person with the one after that.
After 27 years in the finance industry, I shut down my LinkedIn page and put up IncorporationsPoetry, making my under-life public.
A year ago a friend asked if I really wanted to die without anyone seeing my work. Another came and took pictures off my walls and out the door. Interesting friends. I now show photos and their poems across northern VA (see shows) and promote the arts at events throughout the region (see events).
In 2017 I co-founded ARTspeaks, a community art space on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax (UUCF) in Oakton. As Artistic Director, I’ve created exhibits that show case the art of well-known artists, new artists and the art programs in our schools. We also sponsor the “Found Art Series,” an opportunity for non-artists to recognize the art in their lives and share it with others.
We are creative beings—biologically…..otherwise we’d still be hunter-gatherers. Art is not dependent on divine intervention, a muse or a degree. It’s just one more thing in the world that’s much easier with some support. Need some help cracking open creativity in your kids, or more likely adults–I’ll be there.
Bring me your work, I’ll give you a wall.
see also: A Better Bio
Deborah Kennedy
dkennedy.poetinc@gmail.com