Birches

I love birches. Silver. River. Japanese White. All. A pioneer species, birches are often the first to take root after nature or man takes a devastating swipe at an area.

The proceeds from the sale of these birches go to Kids Off the Block, an organization started 20 years ago by the indomitable Diane Latiker. Diane is a community activist focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable young people in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. KOB reflects Diane’s sensible and generous approach to life. First you listen, then you offer support. KOB’s mission: to provide at-risk, low-income youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy, violence and the juvenile justice system.  It takes a unique person to look around at entrenched, systemic issues and say, ‘we can do better’ and step into the breach.

Each of these vases is unique, hand built and stand-alone, but I tend to put them in clusters, as you’d find them in the wild. A part of me is channeling Robert Frost and his poem ‘Birches’ . Is it possible to imagine children from the south side of Chicago taking rides on bowed limbs? ‘One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.’ What could a safe space and some encouragement do? Thank you, Diane, for showing us.