Healing Stories: Derecho

Do you have a derecho story to tell? Did you create art or craft something special that reflects the 2020 derecho? Do you want your story or your creation to be remembered by others into the future?

First Presbyterian Church of Cedar Rapids will host Healing Stories: Derecho One Year Later, an art and story-telling event, on Saturday, August 7 from 4-7 p.m. The art, photography and crafts exhibit, as well as a story-telling recording booth, will coincide with Together We Achieve, the Iowa Derecho Storm Resource Center’s family-friendly event that day in Greene Square, directly across the street.

The gallery will be open for anyone to display artwork related to the derecho of August 2020. Anyone who experienced the devastating storm is invited to participate. While sale of items is not permitted at the event, participants may have cards with contact information available next to their work. Children’s art is welcome and encouraged. Contact Carolyn Horton at (319) 396-5369 regarding deadlines and registration. There is no entry fee.

Additionally, a story-telling booth will be open for visitors to recount personal experiences of the derecho, emotions, rebuilding, or how they’ve turned destruction into something life-giving. Stories and art will be shared with the community through a digital product to be released later this year. If you would like to sign up for a time to record, click here!

The church will provide restrooms to those attending both the art/story-telling event and the activities in Greene Square.

The Healing Stories: Derecho One Year Later art gallery will continue to be open at the church on Sunday mornings from August 8-29.

If you would like to volunteer, sign up here!