ART INSPIRING CHANGE — MORE JUSTICE — STRONGER ALLIANCES
Published Monthly - April 2023
“Why is it that giving guns is so easy, but giving books is so hard?” — Malala Yousafzai
“It takes a monster to kill children. But to watch monsters kill children again and again and do nothing isn’t just insanity — it’s inhumanity.” — Amanda Gorman
LOVE LIFTS US UP
A Tribute to Ukraine
Painting by Mary Dispenza
“During Covid, I decided to paint a trilogy honoring groups underserved, devalued, and persecuted. I chose African Americans, Native Americans, and the people of Ukraine. Ukraine had just come into my vision. I was appalled at the inhumanity of it all. Why would Russia, led by Putin do such a life destructive act as war upon a neighboring country. I knew the answer – POWER!
I didn’t know what to do, what to say, what my heart was feeling. When I find myself in trouble and confusion, I paint – my saving grace since I was a little kid. I wanted then, as now for Ukraine to rise above the ashes – to be victorious. So, I painted, “Love Lifts Us Up,” as a reminder to me that we belong in love, not war, hatred, POWER, and the destruction of precious innocent lives.
I chose the colors of Ukraine for my painting, or rather they choose me! They are beautiful colors, swirling about – blue for constancy and hope, yellow and orange for joy amid sorrow, and added green for the reminder that out of the ashes can come new life. The white dove symbolizes peace and the right and just response of a great leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy whose love and courage lift us up where we belong!”
MARY DISPENZA is a writer, speaker, artist, National Distinguished Principal, and a former Catholic nun. She is an activist for LGBTQIA equal rights and for the protection of children. Mary is the Puget Sound Seattle leader for SNAP, Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (and nuns). Mary was raped by the parish priest at age seven and abused by a nun at age 18. Mary has always chosen art as a path to healing – then and now. The difference now is that her art is not so dark with the absence of color as her earlier work depicting her abuse. It has moved to vibrant colors found in nature and moved outward to give words to current issues weighing heavily on her heart and soul. Mary is the author of the award-winning memoir, SPLIT: A Child, A Priest, and the Catholic Church. Mary has been featured on KUOW, Public Radio, and KOMO and KING TV in Seattle. Mary’s articles and opinion pieces have appeared in CNN Opinion, The Seattle Times and The Los Angeles Times. Mary lives with her spouse in Washington State. Contact info: mcdispenza@comcast.net
By Cruz Villarreal
The bathroom mirror affirmed the innocence
of my ignorance.
The only color a child should see,
is reflected in the maple tree of fall
or the coral and pastel hues of roses in spring.