The Wednesday before Easter we had a lovely celebration at common art. We spent the morning making Easter eggs. It was great to have everyone working on their artwork with this additional festive activity available. With the holiday and Spring now upon us, spirits have been greatly lifted. The long winter was definitely not easy for many in our community, which made me appreciate our joy so much more.

The biggest highlight of the day, however, was the Easter play we put on! This play represented to me the ability the community has to come together, make something so fun and beautiful, and uplift one another. Our wonderful community member Richie wrote the play that was performed. Weeks before, when he and some other volunteers and staff were getting ready for it, they asked several people including me to play some of the roles. Everyone with a role went above and beyond by taking their script home to memorize it! I was so happy to see the room remain full with the audience attentive as the play was performed. The applause at the end was the best. I saw everyone come together to make this play a success and lift up our community member Richie in his great accomplishment of creating and putting on this play. It is the creativity of everyone in the community that allows for moments of beauty and joy like this one, and I am always so grateful to be a part of it. When we lift each other up, it’s amazing what we can do.

– Marielle Carpentier