STEPHANIE Nuño

“Breath - consciously formed and activated through language, thought, prayer, chanting, ritual, dance, sport, work, story, play, and art…” (Cajete 43), “…it is the breath that represents the most tangible expression of the spirit in all living things…” (Cajete 42). The presences of breath exists as a root so holistically in all art forms. It courses through the artist and literally breaths life into their work. It is the breath that provides space between allowing for time; time to understand and to process (Ling); time to be present in formulating our ideas and opinions; tangibly giving us space with each inhale.

There are a few things in life that will call you to attention knocking you into now in a way that rocks your world – exhaustion, pain, and illness. In varying degrees of intensity and affect, I have been kissed and caressed by all of these demons and, inevitably, they have contributed to my growth during this experience. I have learned that it is how you are present with tragedy that informs your relationship to those experiences; that being stuck in the stop exposes your truth.

“Liminal people or ‘threshold people’ are neither here nor there; they are betwixt and between…” (Turner 1). It is in this place of uncertainty that lies authentic creativity. By listening to the moment and acknowledging the tug on your sleeve that “…calls our attention to what is hidden[,] a vulnerability, an intimacy, a curiosity…” (Fels 113) is exposed. We give space to the now relishing in process. It is here that students thoughtfully push past struggle inching closer to “…saying yes, [to] recognizing love, forgiveness, acceptance, and renewal…” (Fles 115). Here, in discomfort, in the space between, we learn and grow together, taking risks, and cultivating imagination.