THE POWER OF YES!

Huge thanks to Nathaniel Russell and his family for saying yes to visiting Vermont! That spirit of saying yes, especially when something feels a little inconvenient, unfamiliar, or out of the ordinary, is what makes everything else possible. Saying Yes can be hard, difficult, uncomfortable, life changing, community building ... and it can be revolutionary!

The power of YES felt especially present this week. From long days pulling prints at Iskra, to wandering Bread and Puppet, to walking through the woods and sharing meals with friends, every part of it came from people showing up with openness and curiosity.

Photo by Jess Voss

This first inaugural Vermont Art Book fair exists because of that same impulse. It was built by relative strangers who decided to say yes to an idea and to each other, and in doing so, created something that continues to grow into real community. That kind of momentum, the kind that crushes apathy, is powerful and worth holding onto.

Deep thanks to everyone who said YES this week and the weeks and months leading up to this incredible weekend! Champlain College for hosting Nat’s artist talk, my Iskra family for sharing the studio, Karma Bird House for always being such generous collaborators, and my co-conspirators at the Vermont Art Book Fair.

Photo by Jess Voss

And a very special thank you to my Vermont community who showed up and said YES to supporting printed matter in all its forms.

It was a beautiful week and a very special weekend.

Enjoy the endless photos below!

Cheers,
Shawn

Photo by Jess Voss

Photo by Jess Voss

Photo by Jess Voss

Photo by Jess Voss

Photo by Jess Voss