The Power of Wonder
Conversations on quality of thinking, active hope, and regenerative imagination
We believe everyone has a story worth painting.
In the face of division and dissociation, your sense of wonder can help imagine a new future. Through participatory art, we’re inviting the public to co-create a visual legacy that reflects on our capacity to question, daydream, and reinvent.
TIMELINE
Phase 1:
Conceptualization
(June - July '25) We’re inviting diverse partners across sectors to help shape the prompt for this project. If you're in Castle Rock and interested in joining this first phase, reach out.
Phase 2:
Engagement
(July–Oct '25) We’re bringing this 20'x30' setup (adjustable as needed) to 12 events, aiming to engage 150 people in story-sharing. Have an event and want to host it? Reach out.
Phase 3:
Impact
(Dec '25 –Apr '26) The final painting will tour the city for five months, accompanied by a virtual exhibit featuring audio/video from the process. Want to exhibit it? Reach out.
What the Project IS
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A participatory painting that travels to events and places
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A creative experience where people contribute directly
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A space to reflect on our capacity to think intentionally
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A co-created artwork held in shared ownership through NFTs
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This is an artist-led, self-initiated project made possible in part through the generous support of sponsors and donors
What the Project IS NOT
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Not a finished mural painted by a single artist
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Not a passive art exhibition or display
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Not a political campaign or commercial promotion
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Not owned, commissioned, or to be bought or sold
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Not a government-funded or institutionally led project or confined to a single organization's agenda
Work In Progress
Phase 1: Conceptualization & Event Planning
We’re forming an advisory committee for this project, with our first meeting planned for the second week of July. We also hope to be part of summer events in and around Castle Rock—if you're hosting one and would like us to set up an interactive painting station, we'd love to hear from you!
We will add photos of the work in progress here.
Similar Past Collaborations
Our experience was amazing for the level of skill, engagement and passion for the project.
Bringing dreams to life takes dedication, and we felt ourselves in highly qualified hands to achieve our goals.
Noreen Allossery Walsh
Ursuline Sisters of Chatham
Working with Melanie is an absolute dream. Melanie is kind and sparkly, and has a quality about her that can only be described as magical. She is a dreamer, but also a doer, and that rare combo means that what she creates is infused with so much love and skill.
Michelle Peek
Founder, Art Not Shame
As an academic let me make clear that the value of the community experience in the process of collective art production cannot be measured. I see the huge benefits of this process of art co-creation for people in academia and beyond.
Gloria Perez
Professor, Mount Royal University
She was able to transform physical art into digital representations, enhancing the work so it works together as a whole while still preserving the individual contributions of each community artist.
Julie Ryan
Community Engagement Advisor,
Indwell
The community love, mindful hosting and deep engagement that I witnessed in how Melanie approaches social art projects was inspiring and illustrated connection through creativity.
Michelle Baldwin
Senior Advisor,
Community Foundations of Canada