River of Losses and Longings

At The Art of Becoming, we explore the context of our lives through art—welcoming those who arrive to do hard and sacred work, and who return to their communities transformed, becoming, and more deeply attuned to the greater flow around them.

In this season, we acknowledge that this time of year brings many currents — many that feel deep, lonely and heavy. Celebration meets stillness, joy mingles with ache. The Art of Becoming acknowledges that in the midst of winter’s brightness, grief often flows quietly beneath the surface, carried in the hearts of many who pass through this space.

The River of Loss and Longing is a place to honor those currents.

You are invited in our waiting space to pause and notice what stirs within you. Whether your grief is fresh or long-held, personal or collective, spoken or silent—it belongs. Grief is not an interruption of the season, but a testament to the love that shapes us — it is part of the deeper truth of being human, a reflection of the love and connection that shape us.

As you write a word, name, or memory on a stone and place it in the river, may it be held with dignity and care. May this shared current remind you that you are not alone in what you carry, and that even in this tender season, there is room for all that is true.

And to those who carry grief in this season, we honor the quiet bravery of your heart—the way you rise each day with what cannot be seen, yet still choose to keep living forward.

Your participation in this art piece affirms that you are a vital part of a community rooted in connection and healing. Thank you for adding your story to ours.