Food & Ideas, March 19
A group of people share ideas and food with each other. Click the play arrow to listen to a recording.
Walking Meditation on Angel Island, April 30
We begin at Angel Island's Ayala Cove, and over a span of five hours, we walk to Quarry Point where we stop for lunch, to the Nike Missile Site, to Mt. Caroline Livermore and then we return to catch the ferry.
It's difficult to imagine the desperation of immigrants filing through Angel Island when we walk through it. The island was beautiful, verdant, green, and full of vacationers. Down by the beach people of all ages lounged under a bright sun, cooled by the ocean breeze. I wish I could see what the island looked like before, and after, our very fleeting present.
We begin our walk, and my thoughts are on my role-am I a guide for meditation, or am I a group leader? Sometimes I walk silently ahead or among the group and other times, I ask questions or I address others’ questions. When we stop to eat lunch, everyone falls into place, but I am nervous about how I should act. When I realize this is silly, I begin to play at relaxing my timorous mind. After lunch we convene, I gather the group and I suggest trying to balance our inner thoughts, emotions and reactions with the stimulus of the environment: the wind, the sun, the chatter of people and birds, clothes against our skin. Walking with these thoughts, I get a glimpse of bliss as the earlier concerns momentarily fade. Again, I notice my thoughts centered on my shoes chafing at my ankles. I worry about my dwindling water supply and I work hard to redirect the thinking to my graceful gait and the subtle muscular movements that propel me forward. At times I feel balance as dread, worry, fear and doubt disperse, above my head into the sun-drenched leaves.
photos courtesy Yun Tong
Drawing from Nature on Angel Island, June 4
-Bring any drawing materials you wish: pastels, pencils, markers or paint & paper.
- We will be located at Angel Island's West Garrison from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
- Invite anyone you wish, as this is an inclusive exercise.
- Bring a sack lunch and sun protection.
CLICK HERE to see three DRAWINGS FROM NATURE. Please consider offering your support by purchasing artwork.
Call for Submissions / Brainstorming Meeting Saturday, July 8, 3PM
ANGEL ISLAND ART FESTIVAL
This is a call for submissions from visual artists, writers, musicians, teachers, dancers, conceptual artists and performers who are willing to collaborate in making a daylong ANGEL ISLAND ART FESTIVAL happen on Saturday, September 16th, 2006. Submissions will be accepted through August 1, 2006.
Projects for the event may:
-Instigate group participation
-Incorporate a community service project
-Work with portable materials, technology and/or equipment
(we ride the ferry to the island)
-Make use of available resources: each other, plant and animal life, beaches, paths, camping & picnic sites, historic buildings, the ferry, etc . . .
-Explore themes specific to Angle Island: Miwok Native American history, discovery & conquest, immigration, war, quarantine, natural preservation, islands, etc . . .
If you're interested in participating, Minettte Lehmann will host a brainstorming session and potluck in her San Francisco Marina District home on Saturday, July 8th at 3:00 PM. Minette is an artist with a fantastic garden, and we can see Angel Island from her upstairs room. RSVP