Belonging through Art Guides by Charlotte Donlon

When I wrote about belonging through art in The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other, I did not know how obsessed I’d become with learning more and more about how engaging with all forms and genres of art helps us belong to ourselves, others, our places, and the divine.

The obsession continues to grow, so I’m excited to announce a new small press and a series of Belonging through Art Guides.

Below are a few initial details about the Belonging through Art Guides which accidentally happened in May while I was waiting for edits for my Spiritual Direction for Writers® book. I hope to share more information about the Belonging through Art Guides in August.

The physical book is inspired by these travel guides which I love.

The guides will be the size of The Great Belonging (5 x7) but with fewer pages.

The structure for the first Belonging through Art Guide’s 30 chapters is modeled after I'm Still Writing with a heavy dose of Daily Nourishment vibes.

For the first Belonging through Art Guide, each chapter title is a noun followed by a quote from a book. Each quote explores art or belonging or the intersection of art and belonging. Each quote is followed by 1-2 paragraphs of "Explore" related to the chapter’s quote and/or quote theme. Every chapter closes with a “Respond” section that includes a belonging through art prompt.

While I am absolutely in love with this project, everything is currently on hold until I'm done with SDW revisions. I have about 20 different ideas for additional Belonging through Art Guides, and I’m looking forward to bringing these beautiful little books into the world.

Thanks so much for reading. Please tell me you love this idea.