MEMOIR MAKERS
As Memoir Makers we are searching for the intimate moments in our lives, which we have long ago forgotten, to speak to us again, enliven us again, teach us again. We walk this path "alone together," listening deeply, needing to hear each other's stories in order to remember and tell our own. Our life's stories bring us home to ourselves, making meaning out of our journey's bone chilling trials and heart filled accomplishments. Our stories, now openly shared and fully received, build a bridge to a rich, enduring community.
MEMOIR MAKERS:
The Women's Project
​​Twelve women, all of whom had previous experience with journaling and/or life story as participants in previous StoryArts projects over the years, came together for a year-long project designed to allow each women to tell her story, as a catalyst for the other women to write their story off of. They met monthly (2010). Each month an altar was created in the center of the circle to help the woman stage her story by placing heirlooms from her story on it. And each month after the leading lady told her story, other participants wrote in a blank Memoir Journal an I Remember The When entry. At the end of the year a Harvest Retreat art book making weekend was held, in which each woman made an art book to illustrate her story. Then a Diary Opening and Book Art Exhibit was held at the Encinitas Library. The art books were on display in the library lobby for four weeks, and a reading of the women's stories was produced. At the Diary Opening, members of the audience were also given time to write and read a short I Remember The Time When entry, which they then took home in a mini memoir. A Project Publication was produced at the close of the project. ​This project was underwritten by the Seth Sprauge Educational & Charitable Foundation
​“That was when we partook of our own and one another’s innate, wild and immense wisdom — wisdom born of heroic courage, life-long devotion, stop-you-cold wrong turns, sweet human kindnesses, humbling struggles, and outrageously tasty passions… the list goes on and on.”

This project was underwritten by the Seth Sprague Educational & Charitable Foundation
MEMOIR MAKERS:
The Men's Project
​Five men met between January and October 2012, during which time they each shared a story from their life. After the leading man told his story, everyone wrote and read a story from their own life, written in a blank Memoir Journal, therefore at the end of the project it contained personal stories inspired by each of the men. At the close of the storytelling sessions, a Harvest Retreat was held, during which a book art work was created by each member, based on his life. These art books were exhibited at the Encinitas Library in October, and a public reading was held so the men could each share a few of their stories with the community at large, including family and friends. Those in attendance also wrote an I Remember the Time When… entry in a mini memoir booklet which they then took home with them. There was also be a Project Publication and Slideshow produced at the close of the project.