Each group shared threads from their conversations on the different prompts and then we entered into large group cross talk on the themes that emerged. A common connecting theme across prompts/values was collaboration and bringing together unique people and practices to allow an unfolding of collective work. “You can’t write the script, it reveals itself over time.” Another key theme was the importance of interactive arts experiences that engage participants. We also explored the question of excellence versus collaboration and realized that we can strive for excellence in the ways we work together.

FULL GROUP REFLECTION RAW NOTES
VALUE 1
One of the things that came to mind was having a welcome packet for emerging and new artists. Accessibility for them to connect and a wrap around ness.
Different art events that have multiple art expressions. Making an art experience engageable as well. Not just non-active participants. Vs. the elitist art experience with all the proper etiquette. Explore other forms, live art in the moment. Spoken word, dance. Live action experience. Engageable and expressible.
VALUE 2
Idea of being open to being surprised by the connections you can make. Many times we are going to brace ourselves for an impact that is not going to come. Tension can be worse than the risk of the impact. Commonality is there were often pleasant surprises if only we were willing to reach out.
Common thread, is identify how you yourself show up for something and how others show up. How you can be accommodating and set aside your notions of how they are showing up. And do some reality testing to see if it is the case or a narrative you have made up in your own head.
VALUE 3
Found the prompt difficult. Thought who has done that for me? A question that not everyone can find an answer to. Not everyone has an individual in their life that can change their perspective. Rather seeing in interaction with people in our lives and people we have come across. When it came down to interactions, in moments we least expected. For me less of a person and more of an object. Finding a massive 3 yard cube in dc in an abandoned building in a pop up art show. Made me think, why haven’t we don’t this, fusing art and technology together? Make a statement of arts and technology in Roanoke.
Thought a lot about how the things possible were how someone else influenced us and how that interaction is critical. It is not just in art, but in art it is often more allowed. Thinking since then that we have to allow space for art appreciators. Sometimes you are so caught up in your own performance and creation and thing and reinforced by others in the same field. There are some people who don’t aspire to do what you do, but there is a level of appreciation. That is something we can give externally as reinforcement. When I am inspired by other people’s arts. I can do more and more of other things. A brick is a brick but you put together and it is a building.
Intergenerational connections came out a good bit. Focus on fomenting arts experiences for young people, but also bringing together people who may be older. Show we have more in common than we think. A lot of it is just…try. Go somewhere and the worst someone can tell you is no.
Idea of giving people places to come together to make art together, ex. pilgrim of tinker creek. Give people repeated opportunities to come together to be part of the art making.
VALUE 4
Working together in any capacity is an accomplishment in itself, not matter what the result of the work is.
“The shittier the work the better the celebration.”
Often times we can be afraid of making mistakes and it stops you from doing work. sometimes you just have to do it. You can create something from the mistakes. We all have to do mundane tasks or are focused on perfectionism, when you break through to what you are trying to do it becomes a great community event. Find joyful moments to help you remember why you did this.
Having a shared goal to work to is important. Gives the mundane meaning.
VALUE 5
Hopping from lily pad from lily pad is what life is, one begets the next. The transition from one thing to the next is what matters. Humility for what came before and being willing to not know what is exactly next. Gratitude for being present. Being open to what is happening. You never know who is in the audience and what they will bring that will impact and inform what we are doing. This may not be the end but the next chapter. Making connections to others will shape what is next. How you spread your interests is how you master your craft.
How to meet our challenges within our busy lives?
LARGE GROUP CROSS TALK
Common theme is the collective and collaboration of all these unique and wonderful things that come together in such a beautiful way. Cant write the script it reveals itself over time. That came out in each value.
Behavioral consequences as art as a commodity. Fantastic thing that art is a survival. It may be a commodity for some people, but human expression is necessary. Freedom and joy of giving and receiving expression is how we are human beings together. It is survival.
Is collaboration more important than excellence?
Yes, you learn more from the work itself than just admiring the product.
Art is both a process and a product. Process can be transformative building community and the finished product can also be transformative. Art is both collaboration and excellence.
Distinction between growth and achievement. Growth where you start from and achievement is did you meet the goal.
Learn from experience. Growth is a part of reaching achievement.
Springboard for the arts tenant, the work to do the work is more important than any outcome that happens. In my own work I am a perfectionist want it a particular way. Have to let go of the outcome.
Collaboration and joy helps open talent in community.
At the Irish circle, collaboration people share and maybe someone learns a new song or instrument. Collaboration can lead to excellence.
Some people feel alienated from the arts. Many people say “I could never draw a figure” instead it is possible for anyone, it just hours and engagement. Not about ego or what you produce it is what we have created together.
As people we have been drawing pictures thousands of years before writing
Word is imagine. Doug spear headed over a 4 year period. It’s here. That was someone’s idea. Someone imagined it. It went from its here to who is where what is here. It involved so many artists and community members. Probably a much greater length of time to make it happen. Absolute fabulous thing. It started with a group like this.
We are doing it together. It is
Can we apply excellence to collaboration and process. The way we do things is so important.
How would you see collaboration being financially sustainable? We all have to eat food and pay bills. How can we be sustainable as individual artists and how can we come together collaboratively.
People want to be more immersed in art. How can we get there? Not every method will work in each place. Go to the community and work with what they have in their community.
As an artists I am always striving for excellence. Not sure if I will ever reach it. A constant striving. Having collab with other artists will keep us all moving in the same direction. Teach at pottery studio, students that have come very good, get their own stuff and then 6 months later they are back, because the interaction with other artists is important.
Important to define what is excellence. All have a feeling. Repetition, practice, letting go of perfection. What does it look like for me as an artist and me as a community of artists.
Local artists could never be seen in own museum. What excellence is that in community of collaboration. Highest honor is to be in a museum.
To be recognized as an artist.
Challenge paradigm of what excellence in our community looks like.
Define what excellence is in our community.
What draws people, when impressionists were doing art they were not thought good, but became excellent after their death.
If you know it is part of you put out there. And you have satisfaction. That is what matters. What bob said is right on about expression.