One Week To Departure!

"For listening to the stories of others... is a kind of water that breaks the fever of our isolation. If we listen closely enough, we are soothed into remembering our common name." Mark Nepo

I created Behind the Mask - Our Stories in May 2020, inviting others to share photos that provided a small glimpse into life during the pandemic. In doing so, I was eager to create a community of storytelling while learning how others were coping, or not coping, to these unprecedented times. These are just a few of the images that were shared early on and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who posted them, inspiring the evolution to taking this documentary project on the road.

Beginning October 20th and through mid December, I'll be traveling across the country, searching out stories, connecting with others and documenting how the pandemic has impacted, people, places and perspectives. My short-term goal is to create a community of storytelling and connection and my long term goal includes producing a coffee table book of images and a multi-media traveling exhibit. I hope you'll follow along and share your own story! 

 Thank you to the following individuals who have made donations to my Go Fund Me to help offset project expenses. Chris Long, Ed and Sara Berg, Emily Ward, Janet Higley, Rika Mouw, Susan Braund, Taz Tally and Terry Talbot all receive my gratitude, along with recognition here and on the Facebook page, as well as within the coffee table book and exhibit. They will also receive postcards from the road and personalized email updates! If you'd like to join this group of Go Fund Me friends, you can do so here -  Christina's Go Fund Me.

 

Welcome... the adventure begins soon. On October 20th, I'll fly from Anchorage, Alaska to Las Vegas, Nevada to pick up the camper van that will be my home away from home for two months. During that time, I'll be meandering the country in search of stories, connecting with others and documenting what life has been like during the pandemic - people, communities, places, landscapes. I'll be sharing a window into these encounters in the way of photographs, videos and writings here within this blog, as well as on the Facebook page, Behind the Mask - Our Stories.

My short-term goals are to inspire a community of storytelling and connection across the miles as I chronicle glimpses into how lives are being lived during the pandemic. My long-term goals include the creation of a coffee table book and a traveling exhibit.

Should you like to make a donation to help offset project expenses, you can do so here, Go Fund Me All donors will receive recognition on this blog and the Facebook page, as well as within the coffee table book and traveling exhibit, and, will receive personalized postcards from the road! Thanks to all of these individuals who have already donated - Taz Tally, Terry Talbot, Janet Higley, Susan Braund and Chris Long - thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind consideration and generosity!

I hope you'll follow my journey and perhaps be inspired to share your own story of what life has been like for you during these unprecedented pandemic times. I encourage you to share your story, little bits here and there or a whole lot all at once - with me, with a friend, a neighbor, a family member, a coworker, anyone willing to lend an ear. When we show up to share our stories, we give ourselves, and others, permission to belong somewhere...

Blessings to you, wherever your journey finds you today...