Bi-Monthly By Ryan #3

Dear Friends,

My last two weeks have been full. I hosted an artist talk on May 14, and not only attended but also spoke at a memorial service and a bench dedication. To unwind and come back to myself after the emotional intensity of everything, I focused my energy into working on the fourth issue of my zine, Friendship Zine.

• On Tuesday, May 14, I facilitated the Artist Talk for Love Letters to Baltimore + the DMV, which I hosted as I would an in-person open mic session. I framed the conversation around the act of writing a letter, starting with an explanation of some of my current letter writing practices, after which I encouraged participating artists to speak about their work as it relates to the act of a letter, or however they pleased. The result was a fascinating and insightful conversation after which I shared the copious notes I took while each artist was speaking, immediately reflecting each of the artist's words back to themselves and everyone else present, which gave the event such depth and meaning. 

• On Saturday, May 18, I attended my grandmother Patricia Woods Thomson's memorial service, where I shared a reflection and remembrance written in the form of a letter to her. As has become my new mourning ritual, I wrote a letter to her everyday of the week leading up to her funeral, sharing the letter I wrote on the morning before her service, which garnered many laughs as I was hoping it might. I was honored for the opportunity to share glimpses into our private conversation, and to be fortunate enough to have developed such a close friendship with Pat as an adult. 

• The very next day, I attended a bench dedication for Darcy Elaine Richie at the Greenfield Intercultural Center (GIC) at the University of Pennsylvania, where I shared a letter I wrote to Darcy two years ago, during the week leading up to her memorial service. Again, I was honored for the opportunity to reflect on our friendship, and in particular Darcy's laughter and advocacy, from which I learned so much, and after which I have modeled my own life and work. My return to the GIC was deeply inspirational, and was full of reminders of my past activism while also inspiring my future movements. 

I have spent the days since returning to myself, by way of relaxation and writing, as I do. I excitedly worked on the 4th issue of Friendship Zine, which features the letters I wrote to Darcy, photos from our time together at Penn, and original artwork by me. I am also reworking the third issue of Friendship Zine, which has been pushed aside for 3 years now, as I have been so fully focused on and immersed in my self-designed and implemented DIY MFA program.

Love Letters to Baltimore + the DMV is on display at the galleries at 16 West North Avenue and Motor House in Baltimore, MD until June 1, 2024. On May 29, I will be hosting a Guided Writing Workshop and Open Mic in the gallery space at 16 West North Avenue starting at 7pm. I hope you will join me!

Love, Ryan <3

linktr.ee/ryanartes