
About

At the heart of both individual and social change, we are called to find ways to “own” our leadership in the face of challenge, sustain action over time, and replace isolation with community. These are neither easy nor simple, yet they are at the core of change-making.
As a Durational Art incubator, AWBW’s aim is to foster a collective space of innovation and build practices that invite individuals and communities to explore the following elements together:
Inviting the Journey as Art:
Create: How can art empower us to locate and crystalize our wishes for change?
Carry: How can art offer a path to nurture creative, feasible, sustained action over time?
Connect: How can art become a key to connection within ourselves and with others?
AWBW intentionally seeks to nurture, honor, and interconnect the leadership of all participating in this journey, each an innovator in our own lives, circles, and communities. Thank you to all who have explored with AWBW so far. Your experiences and stories create this lived offering.
Watch this video to hear the voices of durational journeyers who piloted this work in 2018/2019 with Touchstone Journey. They share how trauma shows up in their lives and communities and how they are envisioning durational resources for change.

Impact
AWBW invites us to create art-anchored pathways for sustainable change-making, from the cellular to the systemic. Here is glimpse into examples of durational art serving in a range of settings:
Transforming Trauma in South Carolina Department of Corrections
“I see this as a method of change… There’s a different way to do corrections.”
—Ms. Thompson, SCDC Administrator
Through
#PrisonersToo, created in partnership with Just Detention International, incarcerated people can share their #MeToo stories. With social media off limits inside prison, art anchors ongoing dialog and transformation.
Addressing Historical Trauma at United American Indian Involvement
“We reach those who are touched by multi-generational trauma, people who feel invisible, people who are hidden.”
—Susan Lee, PhD, Windows Facilitator at UAII
In the context of her work with families impacted by longstanding historical trauma and estrangement across generations, Dr. Susan Lee created Relationship Reset Stones as creative seed of change.
Destigmatizing Mental Health in LAUSD
“I feel like windows gave us space… almost a permission slip to be vulnerable… and to not shame those feelings.”
—Sally Stevens, MSW, PPS, LAUSD Psychiatric Social Worker & Windows Facilitator
For
Sally Stevens, working with students, staff and faculty in LAUSD, trauma showed up as “smiling faces with broken hearts and unexplained symptoms and behaviors.” Her district-wide project used art to change the culture: “art makes help-seeking okay.”
Addressing Racism with Justice Journey Jars
“Touchstones are a powerful tool to anchor our learnings and ongoing conversations.”
—Jamie Escoto, Touchstone Journeyer and former AWBW board member
Jamie struggled with how to respond to her five-year-old son Lorenzo’s questions on the murder of George Floyd, race and racism. They created Justice Journey Jars to guide their discussions and begin a lasting journey of activism.
Creating Daily Practices with Minimum Daily Stones
“I was experiencing depression for some years. This resource helps me stay on track.”
—Teresa Smith, Windows Facilitator & Founder of Being the Best Me
Minimum Daily Stones was created by Teresa to navigate depression. She invites others to create their own set of stones to support their well-being, anchoring the “minimum daily” practices that serve them.

Inspiration
To spark your ideas, we welcome you to listen to these journeyers share how their durational art grounds them.
La Shonda Coleman / Prioritizing Rest
Daniel Domaguin / This Seed I Plant
