Celebrating Community Through Art: A Conversation with Shannon Willow
Discover how Shannon Willow, a long-time Clarkston resident and visionary artist, brings people together through public art, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement in this inspiring Q&A.
As a proud Clarkston resident of 18 years, Shannon Willow has been a driving force behind bringing public art to the city, fostering unity and awareness through creativity. In this Q&A, Shannon shares the impact of her work, the meaning behind her latest piece, Heart of Mother Earth, and her ongoing mission to encourage environmental stewardship, civic responsibility, and connection within the diverse Clarkston community. Join us in exploring her journey and the profound message of sustainability and unity she offers to us all.
Can you share your connection to the City of Clarkston?
I have lived in my home in Clarkston for 18 years and have witnessed it change over the years. Starting in 2013, I spearheaded bringing public art to Clarkston and using it to break down barriers and connect our beautifully diverse and unique community.
In what ways do you engage the community through your art?
Up until this piece, the 'Heart of Mother Earth,' I have used painting and murals to bring people together and create more connection. The 'Human Family Forest' mural at Refuge Coffee has been my favorite project, engaging 200 people in the process. That mural stands as a central meeting place in our town's center. I still enjoy the messages it delivers to the community that connecting with nature and celebrating diversity and inclusion is key to a bright future.
Describe the Heart of Mother Earth. What does this piece represent, what materials were used, and what was the inspiration behind it?
The 'Heart of Mother Earth' is a very personal project that is a sacred offering to Pacha Mama, our living planet, that is always giving us food, water, and all the things, too many to mention. She is our sustaining Life force. This sculpture is created with love, honor, reverence and respect for our living planet and all the biodiversity that still remains. I offer my green heart and this large-scale sculpture paired with a pollinator meadow as a gratitude offering for all Mother Earth's gifts to us. 'Heart of Mother Earth' is made of a steel base, preserved moss, and other earth materials. We are always taking from Her, yet what are we giving in return? This art installation speaks to the consciousness and divine intelligence of nature. It is an inspired call to action for people to work in harmony and balance for a more sustainable future. Nature knows how to heal from all the destruction. In September, we planted a pollinator garden full of native plants that will grow all around the Heart. We can all become better stewards of nature and green our own spaces. We must practice acts of random kindness towards the Earth every day. The invitation is to allow healing processes for our planet to unfold in your homes and yards. We must vote for climate action. No more business as usual, spraying weedkillers, cutting down trees, and manicuring nature. We must write new laws and policies that support the natural world and protect it fervently. When nature heals, we also heal because we are not separate from nature; we are one. I want to thank the Mediator Foundation for this project titled Radical Unity, for now is the time to come together in Radical Unity. We truly are all connected. Thank you to my other sponsors, the City of Clarkston, Compassionate Atlanta, GreenBox Homes, and Dekalb County, District 6.
Could you further explain the criteria for the grant you received to support this project?
This public art opportunity is a vision from the Mediator Foundation. The name of the art program is Radical Unity and the idea is 4 artists in Georgia and 4 artists in Arizona would be chosen (battleground states) to bring people together to vote. Using art as a tool to break down barriers and motivate people to get out and practice the civic duty of voting. May all races of humanity be involved in free and fair elections, and we come together in the bonds of our sacred connection to one another. Let us plant the seeds of compassion, empathy, and understanding. Let us celebrate diversity and be ever-inclusive with people who are different from us. This is humanity. This is Life.
You often use art as a medium to promote environmental stewardship and sustainability. What message would you like to share with Clarkston residents about this?
‘Heart of Mother Earth’ is a direct reflection of my love and respect for all of nature. It is an invitation for you to be proactive and to see Mother Earth’s Heart reflecting back at you. We can all choose to become better stewards of the Earth and practice small changes in our lifestyles that have a tremendous impact when you add them all up. My message to the community is do not think that your actions and choices do not matter. They do. Speak up for the planet. Insist on new laws that support Life and not dead soil and tainted water. Choices affect change, and we all can do better by the planet in so many ways. But just take it one step at a time, one voice at a time, one outdated law at a time.
The children are counting on us to make better choices for them. Stop using poison both inside and outside your homes. When our planet is healthy, we are healthy and thriving. When our planet is sick, we are sick. ‘Heart of Mother Earth’ is an invitation to love. To love yourself, love your planet, and love a sustainable future. May we live in reciprocity with nature, and when we take something, give something back in return. Let us choose now and forward to be of service. Service to the planet is key at this time. Earth stewardship is a responsibility for us all. Please do your part; caring for our sacred water, food production, and soil health, trees, plants, and animals is a daily choice. Biodiversity in our nature world is the only ways humans thrive. Mother Earth is still offering Her Heart to you. Please nurture the nature around you and speak truth to power for a sustainable future. We are all connected.
Where can people follow and support your work?
ShannonWillowArt is on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. You can see more of my work on my website at www.ShannonWillowArt.com. If you would like to be part of this educational series about re-wilding your hearts and yards, feel free to send me a message. Want to learn more about Earth stewardship and be part of FREE, ongoing education for the duration of this art installation? Send an email to info@compassionateatl.org
