Last Saturday, at The Shoebox, I wrote a practice letter.
I want to encourage all those coming to the workshops this week to write their own practice letter, at home. We will workshop our letters together. I will help you with syntax, and phrasing. I will help you with direction. I will inspire playfulness.
I can help you get that love letter you’ve wanted to write for some time now, to your muse – written, sent, and beautiful.
It’s that time of year again – time to send out a whole lot of love.
Lefty Smudges Valentine Project 2016, has her teamed up with textile artist, Paulina Szczesny (psletsdye.com) to create a card that is as textured and beautiful, as the love we believe in. This year’s project involves three love letter writing workshops, teaming ‘Smudge’ up with two more amazing artists – Denice Baker and Misha Bower – providing workshop attendees with stories of love to inspire the pen.
By purchasing the card, or attending one of the workshops, you are committing an act of love; You are participating in a crusade of love. Your participation in this project, will directly impact the amount of love mailed through the postal system, expanding across sea and land, landing in the hands of our loved ones, and positively infecting the world. Will you join me?
To purchase a Valentine, visit my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/265802981/lefty-smudges-valentine-2016-silkscreen?ref=shop_home_feat_1
To register for a workshop, visit the Eventbrite listings:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lefty-smudges-valentine-project-2016-workshop-1-tickets-20959633829
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lefty-smudges-valentineproject-2016-workshop-2-tickets-21078252621
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lefty-smudges-valentine-project-2016-workshop-3-tickets-21078339882
‘What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.’
#getinhere
This Saturday at The Shoebox (a space for you to write in community), we will be writing Syrian families that are new to the city of London, Ontario; having arrived here as refugees (definition).
In an attempt to write what I endeavour to accomplish with Lefty Smudges (& The Shoebox), and then to define this letter writing session in those terms, this is what I have come up with.
Purpose of Lefty Smudges:
The Acknowledgement of Others;
Through any medium or means, communication is passed between intended parties.
The result is the connection of all parties involved, to each other, and back to themselves.
Purpose of The Shoebox (Sat. Jan. 16):
The acknowledgment of newly arrived Syrian families, in the city of London.
Hand written letters will be packaged together, and mailed to Cross Cultural Learner Centre (who they are, what they do).
The communal act of writing and mailing these letters will serve to enhance the feelings of community within both writers, and recipients.
#theshoebox
Each week, the names and addresses of those we write will change – will we focus on different groups in society/our lives, involving ourselves in social justice, the magic of relationship, and current issues – the intention, however, will remain the same.
Now, I wish to quote an email I received, from a recipient of the last letter writing campaign, in which letters were written and mailed to humanitarian aid organizations helping Syrian refugees. This email was from a member of M.O.A.S. (who they are, what they do).
To the citizens of London Ontario who made our day!
…I am delighted to say that we recently received your package of beautiful messages of support and encouragement. I cannot tell you how much it meant to us…[I]n the current climate our work can be loved and hated and receiving messages like yours, of sympathy and humanitarian feeling, is incredibly motivating to our team in the office and especially those on board, with whom we have shared your wonderful gift and who were deeply touched..
Please extend my sincere and most heartfelt thanks to all those who participated and please know how valued your correspondence was to us here.
Yours in gratitude and solidarity.
THIS IS POWERFUL STUFF.
Lefty Smudges is a revolution.
Join me.
Allyson Proulx 