A Second Wind: Introduction

Laura Simms, storytelling at the Hans Christian Andersen stage in Central Park, NYC.

***The Light That Never Dims -*** An event at the Whidbey Institute. From L to R - Christina Baldwin, **Laura Simm**s, Alison Coc, Rebecca Chamberlaine, Vi Hilbert, Jerry Wennstrom and Marilyn strong.

The Artist as Social Magician.

Jerry Wennstrom’s art is participatory, and in that way, deeply healing. The surprises and mysteries awaken our own capacity to dream and imagine. These are vital aspects of our lives that we need to recover in our hearts, and in the natural balance of the natural world. They are connected. The bridge may be our imagination and visualizations in response. It is far more transformative than fantasy, which is disconnected from spirit.

Jerry’s many perceptive essays are themselves transformative. But another way to use the book for our own recovery and joy is to look at the images, to use them as if they are poems, or prompts calling us to imagine and associate. The beautiful reflections of artists and friends who have been moved by Jerry’s work are invitations for us to do so as well. What does their response call from us? What memories arise?

I suggest that while reading the book, and climbing into the photos with our eyes, that we journal and make notes of things that come to mind: to write our own stories as if they are sculptures with images within images. Layer our writing with recollected stories and dreams. Let the book be a touchstone, like a magic icon, that moves us more deeply into our own connection to dreams, to myth, to nature, and to spirit.

This is the role of a great artist of our times. Jerry moves us to not separate ourselves from our genuine sense of being part of a complex world, that is alive because it is explainable and mysterious at one time. So take advantage and keep the energy of the sculptures alive through engagement.