Well friends, the theme has been decided.
The study done by Embrace Our Place published in fall 2007 uses interdisciplinary research to explore the intersection between the liberal arts and the particulars of place. It talks about developing care for place. This “care” comes from understanding one’s location in the context of personal relationships. It involves “attentiveness to particularity” and “requires attentiveness to otherness.”
The title of StreetFest this year is “to embrace fully.” My desire for these three days is to encourage conversation centered on the importance of place and interconnectedness. This is, to emphasize two specific points:
For four years these students will be in a particular place, part of which involves the city of Grand Rapids. StreetFest serves to encourage students to engage the community in which they will be living. That is to interact, explore, and celebrate! This is an event where students have the opportunity to learn about the many ways in which they can participate as active citizens in this particular place. It is my hope that dialogue will encourage an attitude of excitement and a willingness to embrace Grand Rapids fully. This event serves to foster consideration for future Service-Learning endeavors, promoting a spirit of openness and thoughtfulness while discouraging the perspective that narrowly predetermines specific aspects/areas of the city.
The idea “to embrace fully” equally refers to the individual student’s role within the larger web of interdependent members. I wish to encourage students to recognize their own position within the community and to realize both their voice and responsibility. Their task in this community is not to come and speak to a place, but to participate in a place. My hope is that their StreetFest experience will encourage students to offer themselves to this place, through relationships and care.
There are several exciting projects percolating at the moment. Art, color, and local resources! I will share them with you as they progress. For now, I would love to hear feedback on the theme (feelings, ideas, reflections).
Interested in looking at the entire Embrace Our Place study? Please do! (http://www.calvin.edu/admin/provost/engagement/teagle/pdf/CalvinCollegeTeagleWhitePaper.pdf)
2 comments:
it looks/sounds great, rebecca. i am excited to see how this theme and some of your ideas play out this year. keep up the good work.
reb(ecca),
thanks for pointing me to the blog; i am oh so excited about this theme!
specifically, i really appreciate its infinitive form. it seems to lack the hubris of the present progressive, "embracing fully." instead, it suggests that this concept is something to be sought after and striven for, not necessarily already attained. which is, to me, just the right note of humility needed for this event and the work we attempt to do. furthermore, it's just so dang pretty this way.
so those are my unsolicited two cents. great job. all good things to you, my friends.
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