Writing may be solitary, but it does not happen without community
The first grant program at the James Baker Hall Foundation was in support of Bobbi Buchanan’s “Write-To Recover” (WTR) program in Bullitt County, a therapeutic writing workshop program designed for incarcerated populations.
The healing power of art is profound and well documented throughout history. Bobbi’s work over nearly a decade has shown a decrease in recidivism using her WTR program. She has seen inmates use writing as a tool to turn their lives around. Our grant program allows Bobbi to continue to pursue the WTR program and train others to lead workshops.
Bobbi has also been instrumental in forming The Salt River Local Arts Cooperative (SLAC), a community group of interested artists formed with our grant funding to establish a structure for the Bullitt County artists to organize and initiate the development of a community arts center.
Creating art is a sacred act of truth-telling
with enormous healing powers.
SLAC now holds its regular meetings each month. The program’s readings are from local authors with an Open Mic opportunity. A writing workshop is led each month by a published SLAC member.
SLAC also hosts the Kentucky Writers On The Road series, (KYOTR) which includes readings by the Winner of the James Baker Hall Book Award and local artists reading or performing at the open mic.
If you would like more information on the Salt River Local Arts Collaborative, contact Bobbi Buchanan at bobbibuch@gmail.com
“Instead of punishment, control, and oppression, my Write to Recover Program emphasizes forgiveness, acceptance, self-awareness, and self-care to foster healing and change in the recovering substance abuser.”
Grantee Pages
