Community art project in Waupaca
By Angie Landsverk
This year’s community art project is about kindness.
The goal of Drawn Together by Kindness is to have people create 2,000 kindness flags.
Laura Reynolds said the idea is to think about “what comes to mind when you think of kindness, love and gratitude.”
She is the coordinator of the project.
It can be words, a poem, pictures or colors, Reynolds said.
Kindness packets are available at the Waupaca Area Public Library.
Each one includes upside down tear shaped flags for six people.
The flags are precut out of paper to handle changing weather conditions.
People need to use permanent markers on the flags.
They are also asked to sign their first name on the back of the flag, as well as their age, where they live and things they like, such as interests and hobbies.
“To me, the back sides are just this great reminder that we’re not that different from each other,” Reynolds said.
When complete, the packets are returned to the library.
Reaching out
The arts board is also reaching out to community groups, churches and schools.
Groups may visit www.facebook.com/communityart2020 for requests to have someone facilitate an event.
That is also where events are posted.
In addition, people may email [email protected] if they have questions or need information.
Expect to see the project throughout the spring and summer, including at Strawberry Fest and the farm market.
“We will have kindness tables popping up all over the place,” said Reynolds. “People can start now, though. That is why we have all the kits at the library for people to use.”
The flags will be installed at the beginning of ARTicipation Week, which this year is Sunday, Aug. 9.
During that week, activities take place throughout the community leading up to Arts on the Square.
The Waupaca Community Arts Board organizes the arts festival, as well as its community art project.
Peg Burington contacted the board last year with the idea of making kindness flags for this year’s project.
She is the director of the Waupaca Area Public Library.
Burington proposed the arts board take on a project that augments with the library’s year-long theme of belonging and kindness.
Forida mayor to visit Waupaca
It was around the same time that plans were being made to bring Robin Saenger to Waupaca to speak.
A similar project took place there.
Saenger was the deputy mayor of Tarpon Springs, Florida when she started Peace4Tarpon, an initiative to make it a trauma-informed community.
“What happened is they started talking about how you can get everyone informed about trauma-informed care (TIC) and to be an open, welcoming place,” Burington said.
Waupaca County’s Department of Health and Human Services incorporated TIC into its department a number of years ago.
Burington said that department, as well as the library, Winchester Academy and ThedaCare, are collaborating to bring Saenger here in September.
“TIC is about understanding everyone goes through trauma at some point in their life,” she said. “Sometimes it leads to behaviors.”
Community belonging
Burington said a number of pieces are coming together to make Waupaca a community where all feel welcomed and that they belong.
Habitat for Humanity’s Rock the Block program is taking place here this spring.
A group has plans to strengthen neighborhoods.
Bob and Christine Faulks had a mural that says “You belong in Waupaca” painted on the side of the downtown building they purchased last year.
The Oxford House model is in Waupaca, offering those in recovery a place to live.
Several area residents started the Storytelling Project, and the library offers life classes on various topics.
This summer, the library’s exhibit room will be transformed into “Faces of Waupaca,” where peoples’ stories and pictures will be shared.
“All these things are coming together at the same time to create a compassionate community,” Burington said.