From the Compassionate Action Network by Jon Ramer. Thank you Jon!

Seattle INSCAPE - Transforming the INS Building!

Greetings Compassionistas!

As we know Seattle has an incredible arts community, and when that community focuses on bringing art to heal and breathe new life into spaces - especially dark ones - it can be amazing. Case in point: this weekend is the opening event of the INSCAPE: History, Arts, Culture. They are transforming the INS (immigration and naturalization services) building on Airport Way into an artist's hub with studios for more than 30 artists as well as visiting artists.

The Compassionate Action Network is cosponsoring the work of Amineh Ayyad and Adapt International. They are producing an Intercultural and Intergenerational Community Storytelling Festival happening as part of the INSCAPE opening event.

The event is happening October 16 and 17th from noon to midnight on Saturday and from noon to 6 PM on Sunday. There is live music on Saturday night starting at 8 PM the bands include The Garage Blasters, Ashcomb, Phase 3, Prince of China.

INSCAPE is Seattle's newest arts and culture hub they are redefining the former INS building with arts, culture, preservation and engagement by exploring the past history and future possibilities of the building.

The thought of honoring the history of this building which was opened in 1930 and transforming the stories it holds into a future together that preserves and engages is an act of compassion. Many people stayed in this building and wished and dreamed to gain access to our country. I encourage you to come down and be a part of this opening and transforming event.

In the words of Amineh:

The festival is curated by Amineh Ayyad as part of Passages event at Inscape, a collective re-visioning and transforming of this historic building into its future role as an arts and culture hub for Seattle's diverse communities.

We are transforming an old detention dorm in the building into a traditional hospitality room representing various cultures around the world. Come and enjoy a traditional storytelling ambiance and have with us a cup of coffee or tea, and listen to and share stories about hospitality, friendship, compassion, perseverance, forgiveness, and the struggles & legacies of immigrants, refugees and other communities in diverse Seattle. Humor, greed, global health and healing are other themes included in the festival.

Our storytellers include Buddhist Reverend Guo Cheen, Muslim Sufi Sheikh Jamal Rahman, SURPRISE storytellers, Compassionist Musician Jon Ramer, elderly, youth, friends, neighbors and strangers.

What a gift it is to live in Seattle!