NEW VIDEO RELEASE!
Nearly one year ago, we decided that we needed, wanted, had to share the #heartofthearts as we know it. We reached out to our friend and videographer extraordinaire, Ioana Alexandrescu of Content Machine. Iaona has been following us around for months, snatching pics and video of our non-stop events - exhibits, plays, concerts, workshops, classes, parties, on and on.
Like most everyone who experiences the MAC for the first time, Ioana was amazed by the volume of eclectic offerings she witnessed. She was so patient, so enthusiastic, so committed to capturing the exact vibe that we (and now she) gets from the MAC. We thought we were done in September, but then we had a collective ‘Aha’ Moment.
We decided that this video could not look like just any video. After all, we are an arts organization and this video needed to be artistic in and of itself. That’s when we decided to call upon our Written Word writer’s group to use a special prompt for their Wednesday evening session - The Heart of the Arts/The Power of the Arts. They submitted their work right away and we were off to a brand new creative start.
In a second morning writing session, we invited very talented published writer and poet, Shanna T. Melton of Bridgeport to meet with Lorie Lewis (writer wannabe) of the MAC. Every line and word from the writer’s group work was sorted and sifted through. These words were then linked together with thoughts, ideas, and words by Shanna and Lorie (mostly Shanna).
The poem’s voice is “the Arts” beckoning for all to experience everything she has to share. It challenges the viewer to “enter in” and help “illuminate the dark sky.” The main message conveys how the heart of the arts is about so much more than entertainment. It’s about understanding, empathy, and expression. It’s about community and connection at the deepest levels… knowing that at our core we are really all the same. The power of the arts is about building bridges, offering new perspectives and insights. It’s about finding common humanity in the depth of our souls.
From here, the recording seshhh! A few hours in our recording studio (aka basement green room) gave birth to a newly recorded voiceover of the poem. This change meant that the original video had to be shuffled and re-connected, but Ioana happily reworked all of it.
Finally, after months and months of “grueling fun” ;) together, we launched the video at our Souped Up Bluegrass Bash and received a rousing response. Every second of work was worth it! We really think we captured the power and heart of the arts and all that the MAC has to offer at both of our venues. And now, we’re ready to launch publicly for all to enjoy!
“I begin as a spec
The slightest sliver
Hand bends around
the pen
the brush
the bow
Holding tightly
Releasing the invisible
Watching it manifest as the dark sky
Reveals the stars
And I link each one
Instinctively knowing
That this phoenix is aching to become a constellation
Strings pulled
with a vibration that
conducts the heart
arches the foot
spins the skeleton key of delivery from the daily dust
to be heard
to be seen
to be shared
Thunder rumbling
Sifting truth and beauty
Coal pressed into white diamonds
Trembling in translucence
Digging into my soul
In search of gold
Taking a story in hand because hands kept still
can craft no plot
When humanity fails
I prevail
So glide into my nest
Find a place of refuge
An awaited dream
Bend your hand around
the pen
the brush
the bow
Hold tightly
And let’s illuminate the dark sky”