Creativity Connects Newtown
What fuels a vibrant, connected, and creative community? What makes people feel good about living in Newtown?
When locals share the creativity that they uncover in the nooks and crannies of their community it brings about connectivity and makes us all feel good. Believe it or not, you discover creativity every day as you walk, shop, work, and play in Newtown.
Meet Scarlett Lewis. She founded Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement™ after her son, Jesse, was killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012.
Is there a person or organization using creativity to provoke change in Newtown?
There are many people in town encouraging positive change. I am doing this, as well, to benefit Newtown, and the rest of the country and world. After losing my six-year-old son, Jesse, in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, I saw a message he left on our kitchen chalkboard, "Nurturing Healing Love." I took his powerful last message and created a social and emotional learning program that teaches individuals how to thoughtfully respond with love that is now being taught in every state and over 100 countries.
How does creativity connect you to Newtown?
I have an art studio in my home and hosted art weekends for years. The differing environments of Newtown, including Lake Zoar, Holcombe Hill Wildlife Preserve, to the Fairfield Hills Campus all inspire imagination and vision that have helped spark my solution-oriented innovation.
Any place in town where you go for inspiration and creativity?
One of my favorite things to do is to take my dogs and walk in the Fairfield Hills Campus. I practice mindfulness on the wooded trails and appreciate the changing atmosphere when crossing the train tracks that lead into grassy fields with broad horizons.
Is there an organization in town that makes you feel good?
There are several organizations that began after December 14th, 2012 that were started by victim's parents who are making the world a better place including the Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation/Bold, Like Charlotte; The Jessica Rekos Foundation; Race4Chase/MAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation; and others.
Finish this sentence: When I think of creativity in town I think of …
My very own Wild Rose Farm's red barn in Sandy Hook that faces the road. There is a special Sandy Hook memorial that I painted and other fun and creative messaging and adornments. This is my creative answer to yard signs!
Learn more about Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement™ here.
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The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of HamletHub or LIFEWTR.