Today we’d like to introduce you to Alanda Bolden.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Alanda. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Sitting in a college art class that was just to have an easy class, not knowing the question posed to me by my professor with his thick Japanese accent “what does your African-ness say?” would be the beginning of my life’s passion journey. As I continued on the course of life, things began to become overwhelmingly challenging to navigate the social ills of racism, sexism, classism, and every other kind of “ism” that were crashing into my soul. Art became increasingly more of a guiding, correcting, teaching and healing force in my life. My soul was created by my Creator to be a creative mind, body, and spirit. In every aspect of my life and career paths, I have found that creativity helped to heal and/or change narratives of the people’s lives with whom I crossed paths.
My creativity melded in with my passion for history and my quest to live my most authentic life of healing and wholeness. Through the world of museums and libraries, history is cataloged from two dominate voices: Eurocentric and atrocity. There are strong correlations between slavery and social issues in modern time. History is a powerful shaper and influencer. We like to say passively “history repeats itself”, but on the contrary, whoever “controls” the narrative, wields the “power.”
I began to ask myself what could I do with this colossal enigma in my own authentic way. What small steps could I make towards helping to heal and change the narrative of how we perceived history and social issues through the use of the creative arts: rÜt Love was born.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It is interesting, one of my passions is one of my strongest challenges. How do you support and encourage individuals to engage around a subject that is deeply ingrained and divisive: history? Being in in the South, I am continuously learning how to maneuver through the unspoken social nuances. Constantly changing the lens to humbly see the wound of history differently to be able to be a creative healing balm.
Of course, there is a more pretentious challenge. rÜt Love is housed in the front part of my home. People’s perception of success determines whether or not to take a business seriously. The point was to create a space that pushes the guest out of their comfort zone while not putting “all their business in the street.” The exclusivity is the safeguard our guest have to allow their authentic souls to be vulnerable and experience compassion without judgment through creativity.
Please tell us about rÜt Love (rUt Love).
rÜt Love is a whole sensory experience. A destination that leads to more creative soul journeys and adventures. Lively conversation circles coupled with creative exercises while taking in the artwork of the guest gallery artist. We take our guest from being a mere spectator to a captivated participant.
Creativity levels the playing field and cultivates an environment that stimulates conversations around topics that often give way to facades and “political correctness”: people-pleasing. Creative expression during the conversation circles leads to genuine willingness and openness to learning. The conversations are as unique as the art pieces being created.
Hospitality and “welcome-ness” greets our guest at the door. The warmth and smells of a home-cooked meal brings smiles to their faces. The space is filled with BOLD colors that are surprisingly calming and pleasing to the eyes. There is always music from around the world playing just in case you want to break into a dance in the middle of the gallery. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for laughs, tears, and hugs.
rÜt Love’s continued perseverance and audacious courage is to not just invite and challenge our guest, but walk the talk. The willingness to be in the trenches of vulnerability with our guest on this bodacious journey of change and healing. rÜt Love is growing rÜts.
rÜt Love is supporting our guest in finding creative ways to use their authenticity to be a healing balm to themselves and others. rÜt Love provides a creative way to imprint our soul stories on and in each other to leave behind a different narrative.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Singing Michael Jackson sounds to the top of my lungs to the ad nauseam of my parents while twirling and dancing tirelessly. Giving way to needing to go outside to garden hours on end with my best friend that was a seventy something-year-old white lady. Only to return home to throw myself in the magnificent world of coloring books and Black History books just before bed.
Looking back, that was me at my finest. Standing in my truth without shame or fear. I want to channel that unbridled boldness and love through rÜt Love to be carried on in others.
Pricing:
- Boutique Goodies $5- $35
- Gathering Events $50- $75
- Fine Art pricing varies
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rutlove.com
- Phone: (406)478-8588
- Email: rutlove387@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Rutlove387
- Facebook: @Rutlove387
Image Credit:
Vanessa Johnson, gallery guest artist from Syracuse, NY
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