We had 29 people join us over various time slots for the first outdoor driveway/garden salon behind my studio. It was a beautiful breezy evening for our Driveway Art Salon. We had a book launch for RENEW and screened three new short films based on my visit to France last year with filmmaker Leena Jayaswal- “Subsistence,” “The Tides,” and “Water Resistance.”

Thanks to everyone who came out and to all the poets and contributors to the book, including designer Erik Moe, photographers Ben Droz, Nandita Ahmed, Amirul Arham and many more, and final editor/proofreader Claire Huschle. Thanks to filmmakers Leena Jayaswal and Paris Preston and everyone who was part of the films and performances, including musician Nirina LUNE, Catherine Bay of The Window in Paris, and Yannick Corradi in Brittany.

Poetry was recited by Dominic Green, Wendy Sittner, Kia Green, and Monica Jahan Bose. Leah Stoddard sent her lovely remarks, which were read out by my daughter. Elizabeth Brandt of Moms Clean Air Force shared some inspiring words urging us all to get involved in letting our government know that we need clean air and clean climate and reminding us to vote in November. And Krittika Ghosh brought gorgeous flowers and made my day. Special thanks to everyone who picked up or preordered the RENEW Book. We will be mailing out and delivering tomorrow. You can also do contactless pickup from my front porch. It was really a special moment last night in the midst of this dark time. Thank you to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for supporting this work.

–Monica Jahan Bose, September 13, 2020