I am inspired by stories about kindness.  There are thousands of these stories.  Everybody has a story to tell.  I want to hear the stories of kindness that come from people in my community.

I am a book artist...which means that I design and bind handmade books.  I am currently making a book that will have many blank pages. The leather-bound book will be big and sturdy so that it can hold stories of kindness from hundreds of people.  It will be called The Book of Loving Kindness. 

In the next few months, The Book of Loving Kindness will circulate to various locations in Chattanooga so that people can write and draw on its pages, telling their own stories of kindness.  A box of pens and markers will travel with the book.  It will go to places like hospitals, shelters, art galleries, libraries, and more.  The schedule is currently being planned.

At the same time, blank pages will be given to interested schools, groups and organizations, so that more people can tell their stories.  The process may be different for each.  Perhaps art teachers could have their students draw pictures and create images of kindness on the blank pages.  Writing teachers could have their students create poetry and prose about kindness.  Kids in an after-school program could document a joint project that centers around kindness.  A group of senior citizens could talk about their experiences with kindness, and then tell their stories on the pages.  A book club could read a book about kindness and write about how it made them feel.   Volunteers, staff and visitors at an animal shelter could chronicle acts of loving kindness they have witnessed.  All of the filled pages will eventually be collected and bound into The Book of Loving Kindness.

The Book of Loving Kindness and its journey will be documented, photographed and accessible on the internet at www.bookoflovingkindness.blogspot.com.  Images and stories from the book will also appear on Facebook.  The completed The Book of Loving Kindness will be shown in different locations in Chattanooga later this year.

At this time, I am inviting individuals, schools, organizations, groups and businesses to participate in the project.  For more information about participating, please contact me at nsbernhardt@gmail.com, or call me at home at 423.886.3867.

I look forward to what can happen.

Nora Bernhardt

This project has been supported by a grant from CAFE (Community Arts Funding Event) at Planet Altered.