Cucuyo 2012: A Different Direction

Warm greetings to the Cucuyo Community!

When I set out to write this letter, my primary intention was to share a change in plans with you all regarding Cucuyo’s programming. However, I’m realizing as I write that I’d first like to celebrate, congratulate and thank from the bottom of my little heart all of the participants, artists, staff and supporters. The product of these past few years has been syrupy, unadulterated love and admiration. Each individual involved has produced art within the context of intercultural interaction. The sharing of one’s art, which is often synonymous with the sharing of one’s core, has resulted in an exponential multiplication of vulnerability and compassion in this world.  That’s quite a lot of beauty.

It’s also quite an undertaking—an undertaking that deserves full attention.  However, because of the 50 or so hours that go to the job that provides a paycheck and the joyous occasion of a marriage that I’ve been invited to participate in (my own!), I’m not able to give the planning and carrying out of this coming summer’s program the attention and affection it merits.  Instead, I’ve opted to use this year to work with the Dominican kids in the further development of Cucuyo, bringing it into a more precise alignment with their needs and desires. This exercise will probably culminate in a visit to Bonao for some face-to-face planning sessions with the kids later on this summer.
 
I’ll go ahead and note, if any of you know anyone who would be interested in investing in a director’s salary, or writing a grant to for a director’s salary, or partnering with me and writing a grant to fund us both to develop Cucuyo full-time, contact us!  Then the time issue would be a non-issue!
 
My best wishes to each of you and thank you for your heart-warming support,
 
Laura

Laura Vaughn
Executive Director
Cucuyo Creative Explorations