Community Dinner
In spring 2015, I and two friends organized a community dinner for a larger event, SLACfest (SLAC stands for Stay Up Late and Create). In making dinner, we wanted to support the ideas codified in SLACfest: to promote creation and support the Olin College Library. The event was a massive success to which over 100 people attended.
Within this context of promoting creation, we decided to promote craft and cooking in the community dinner. We wanted the event to have an inviting and comfortable ambiance where everyone felt a sense of ownership and empowerment. We lead others in creating a set of reindeer moss tiles and huge pom-poms to add softness to the otherwise utilitarian library. We added carpets, warm lighting, and flowers to enhance the feeling of being cared for. For dinner, we involved over 30 people to serve a home-cooked meal of vegetarian soup, fresh bread, green salad, and fresh fruit salad. This was a community event where we wanted everyone to feel like they experienced something together and were active participants by adding their presence to the event. I realized through the event that the people surrounding me are filled with creativity and that this creativity can be nourished by small, rewarding projects (because who doesn't love food?). Through the event, we were able to connect people with others and with their environment.
Within this context of promoting creation, we decided to promote craft and cooking in the community dinner. We wanted the event to have an inviting and comfortable ambiance where everyone felt a sense of ownership and empowerment. We lead others in creating a set of reindeer moss tiles and huge pom-poms to add softness to the otherwise utilitarian library. We added carpets, warm lighting, and flowers to enhance the feeling of being cared for. For dinner, we involved over 30 people to serve a home-cooked meal of vegetarian soup, fresh bread, green salad, and fresh fruit salad. This was a community event where we wanted everyone to feel like they experienced something together and were active participants by adding their presence to the event. I realized through the event that the people surrounding me are filled with creativity and that this creativity can be nourished by small, rewarding projects (because who doesn't love food?). Through the event, we were able to connect people with others and with their environment.