Resisting Erasure: Artistic Creativity in Times of Political Turmoil

Amid increasing global unrest and tightening institutional controls on free expression, artists remain steadfast as cultural custodians and changemakers. Resisting Erasure: Artistic Creativity in Times of Political Turmoil is a powerful exhibition and series of community events that explore the role of art in the face of political adversity.

Quoting artist and thinker Anne Manera, “Political turmoil often gives rise to heightened emotions, including fear, anger, and uncertainty, which can be difficult to process and articulate. By offering a space for vulnerable, authentic expression, art enables individuals to grapple with complex issues and navigate the emotional challenges that accompany periods of political unrest.”

This exhibition gives voice to those working at the intersection of creativity, resistance, and healing. Featuring multi-disciplinary artists who reflect cultural, and social traditions, Resisting Erasure is more than an art exhibition—it is a call to community dialogue and collective reflection.
The exhibition will showcase visual, audio, and verbal narratives that offer resolutions to conflict and expressions of resilience. Artists will also present on their lived experiences navigating censorship, suppression, and the struggle to maintain individuality in increasingly challenging political climates.

Resisting Erasure: Artistic Creativity in Times of Political Turmoil has been curated by Maureen Gates, Shirley Parker-Benjamin, Onaje Benjamin, and Dan Goldman.

All events are open to the public.
Community dialogue is encouraged. Participating artist will donate a percentage of any sales to a social justice centered organization.

KCSD Green Team Holiday Toy Swap

The Kingston City School District’s Green Team (a coalition of parents and caretakers with students in the Kingston City School District working for a sustainable future) is hosting a holiday toy swap. Bring your preloved toys and leave with something new(ish), just in time for the holidays!

Rooted & Resourced: A 1-Day Retreat for Change-Agents

Are you feeling called to your Good Work but feeling depleted, disconnected, and scattered? Are you longing for a chance to recharge and renew your commitments in solidarity with others? Join GWI for a meaningful, joyful one-day retreat to find a rooted sense of belonging and to resource the important work ahead.

We have all been feeling the impacts of the accelerated pace of change and uncertainty brought about by the phalanx of challenges we face. A very incomplete list includes: federal governmental chaos, climate change, rising wealth disparities, extreme levels of inequity, all causing increasingly untenable pressure on people and ecosystems. GWI’s focus on Just Transition has positioned us to accept what is happening, understand it from a systems perspective, and focus on the solutions that will turn the system towards regenerative and just economies. At the same time, we know we are all in this together and it is a long game. It is essential that we support each other to stay focused on the Good Work, needed now more than ever, by acknowledging and tending to the potential for exhaustion and burn-out.

This one-day retreat is a chance to take intentional time away from day-to-day challenges to be in community with others who are working towards just futures and regenerative practices. We have three goals: to build relationships that bolster our access to mutual support, to refresh practices that help move us collectively towards durable and positive change, and to renew our energies in an environment crafted to open our hearts and light up our vitality.

What will we do?

GWI facilitators will offer a nourishing set of collaborative sessions, designed to balance energizing full group experiences and time to talk in smaller groups. We will invite participants in spaces that will allow everyone to share, learn and listen; we will provide time for renewing our energies; and we will offer space to practice the skills required for joyful, effective, cooperative action. 

We will be drawing from practices that include: setting working agreements; non-violent communication and empathy share; clarity on the vision that animates us; and tools for how to hold space and use equitable meeting practices in your organizing efforts or workplaces. We will end the day sharing dinner together at a local restaurant.

Who is this for?

There are many ways to work towards a just and regenerative future. Whether you are coming with decades of solidarity economy expertise or just starting the journey towards moving into social change work, we invite you to join us! If you are aligned with Just Transition and have been called to work towards positive, collective change, and want to spend time in reflection and discussion with allies, this retreat might be for you. We are open to all, and are particularly drawn to gathering people who are open to the concept that we are stronger together, who want to join a network of mutual support, and who are eager to connect and learn across arenas of experience. 

H.V. Regenerative Housing – Intro Mixer

Hudson Valley Regenerative Housing (HV/RH) is a new initiative bringing together housing activists, natural builders, community weavers, and future eco-villagers for our first quarterly gathering. We’ll connect around practical pathways that advance the development of new homes to address the Mid-Hudson Valley’s acute shortage that are: Built from natural, bio-based materials / Permanently affordable and community-owned / Designed to foster connection, well-being, and abundant living. For more info and to RSVP, click the link below.

Remember Our Connection: Mending & Repair

Join us for “Remember Our Connection: Mending and Repair”, a community gathering and film screening.

This short film uplifts indigenous wisdom and knowledge gained by conflict practitioners from their experience supporting everyday people to work through conflict. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with conflict practitioners. There will be opportunities for community discussions around conflict, followed by a live music performance from acoustic soul singer/songwriter callie mackenzie.

Mending & Repair Y(our) Connection / Tandaan Ang Ugnayan, an ongoing community arts project in support of climate justice, founded in 2019 by Cecilia Lim. Cecilia conducted and recorded individual interviews with conflict practitioners and Shinnecock tribal members, and produced a short documentary film along with a “Community Guide to Navigating Interpersonal Conflict” zine from these recordings.

HV Coop Mixer

Calling all advocates for local economic development!

Are you passionate about building a more local, self-determined, and community-led economy? Join the HV Coop Summer Mixer on Tuesday, August 19th from 6-9 pm at the GWI Greenhouse!

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow advocates for economic democracy, social justice, and ecological sustainability in our region. The event will feature brief introductions, open space for networking, and refreshments (feel free to bring an offering to share).

Whether you’re a cooperative developer, entrepreneur, community organizer, or simply interested in making a positive impact, the HV Coop Mixer is for you!

This event is sponsored by Good Work Institute, Co-op Hudson Valley, Mi Oh My Hydroponic Farms Cooperative, Democracy at Work Institute and LIFT Economy.

This is a free event. Registration is required.

Working on Our Future

Working on Our Futures empowers young individuals by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities to explore careers, education, and personal growth. To learn more about this event, click the link below.

Solidarity Civics: Coalition-Building

As we approach the mid-term elections, voter suppression vies with voter registration for our attention. Our special guest this month, Barbara Graves-Poller, will talk about coalition-building in an age of algorithm-driven fragmentation.

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