Welcome to Creativity As Community

Recently I lamented that being an actor right now feels particularly up my own ass. A handful of well-meaning folks reminded me that during times of global struggle, art is needed, keeps us hopeful, and other such uplifting things. Those are great reminders. But right now, the conversations I’m having with other creators are more akin to “how do we create when we’re being called to show up for our community?” and “is what I want to do even feasible anymore”? 

Connecting with other creatives is how I’ve been balancing the contradictory emotions involved in living, here and now. Filmmakers and writers have the power to elevate messages, moments, and movements. It’s something about which I can and sometimes do go up my aforementioned ass about. (I mean, look at my prior published work here on HMB. I’m an actor writing about movies.) The line about the blues from Delta Slim in Sinners has become a prayer, a mantra, for me: “It’s magic what we do. It’s sacred and it’s big”. What are we creating for if not to connect? 

The Importance of Art

This ability to elevate is simultaneously underrated in the larger world and overrated in our own. It’s a skill that requires practice, but like any skill, it can be developed over time. A million things are asking for our attention that feel paramount to creating our art right now. An array of atrocities awaits us every time we open an app to scroll. Using a pen, camera, or even Procreate opens a magic door to worlds that are different yet reflective of our own. It has never felt more inspiring, infuriating, and important.

There’s a funny thing that happens when you allow yourself to create. You become a kaleidoscope of ways to process life. The ways you observe expand. The process becomes the art, and the art becomes the reason. Others see your reason and relate. You no longer feel alone in overwhelm or any other emotion.

I’ve had the honor of feeling that magic connection with so many of you. It’s humbling to feel the patchwork of emotion and effort that goes into what we do. May we continue to convene with the creative spirit that runs through each of us. May it keep us afloat. Most importantly, may the communities we build through it craft a new world, one full of compassion, care, and change.