Blog No. 283: Artist Activist Natasha Mayers, Stephen Colbert/Anderson Cooper: A Conversation, A Few Short Poems

Natasha Mayer's
Artists' Rapid Response Team (ARRT!)

Natasha Mayers, Activist Artist, photo courtesy Sean Alonzo Harris

My friend and fellow artist Terrie Frisbie has been trying to get me to come with her to a monthly artist gathering called ARRT! (Artists' Rapid Response Team), where artists have been gathering once a month for many years to make political signage and artwork for the greater good.

I finally went last Sunday--what a wonderful group of artists, such creative collaborative energy floating in the space, and all of us hard at work all day. There is something amazing about being in a room and creating--that group spirit--and especially if it is for a good cause.

ARRT! was founded fourteen years ago by an extraordinary woman named Natasha Mayers, who is the founder and force behind this artist collective. It has been going strong since 2012, dedicated to political causes of decency, kindness and justice for the less privileged in our society.

In addition to her own art and organzing the artist collective, Natasha has worked with prisoners, children, refugees and local residents to create banners, murals and signs with the purpose of bringing visual reminders of what is important in life and to call attention to crucial issues we face as a society. As one of Maine's national treasures, she is celebrated in this wonderful PBS documentary Natasha Mayers: An Unstill Life. Please watch for inspiration, dedication, and the determination of one person to spark and mobilize a whole group of individuals into collective years of action.

Organized by Natasha Mayers, these lobster buoys, symbols of Maine, are depicted here with flags from all over the world, painted by Portland immigrant students representing their countries of origin.

Stephen Colbert/Anderson Cooper Conversation

Both Anderson Cooper and Stephen Colbert have had their share of major loss. Take the time to listen to this touching, raw conversation between the two of them where they are incredibly open about their life experiences and their personal feelings on their own grief.

To dig deeper, you might also be interested in Anderson Cooper's entire podcast All There Is, where he engages in moving and honest discussion with people who have faced life-altering losses.

Anderson Cooper’s Podcast All There Is has three seasons, currently 56 episodes.

A Few Short Poems

APRIL IS A DOG'S DREAM
by Marilyn Singer

april is a dog’s dream
the soft grass is growing
the sweet breeze is blowing
the air all full of singing feels just right
so no excuses now
we’re going to the park
to chase and charge and chew
and I will make you see
what spring is all about

THE RED WHEELBARROW
by William Carlos Williams

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow
glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens

THE CRY OF THE CICADA 
by Matsuo Bashō

The cry of the cicada
Gives us no sign
That presently it will die.

HOPE IS A THING WITH FEATHERS
by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
 And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –
I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
 And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

Painting of the Week

Pam Smilow an oldie but a good one.

Charity of the Week:
Doctor's Without Borders

Book of the Week

About The Author
New York City based contemporary artist, Pam Smilow, began writing the creative lifestyle blog “things we love” in an effort to foster a sense of community during times of isolation and reflection. To read more about her and her art, visit her website and check out the essay written by Frank Matheis entitled The Sophisticated Innocence of Pam Smilow.