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VIDEO | Exploring Art: The Great Community Builder

Jun 8, 2021 | Art, Community, Just, Diverse, United – The Destiny of America, News + Announcements, Race Unity, Social Justice

Artists Helen Butler, Sharon Davis, and Jacqueline Claire explore the role the arts can play in the creation of a society described in the title of Green Acre’s current art show: Just, Diverse, United: The Destiny of America. See how these active artists utilize visual arts, theater, writing, and storytelling as a means to build and transform community, connect hearts, open minds, and loosen biased norms.

Helen Butler

Helen Butler, MFA Theatre Arts, Brandeis University, was nurtured in the cauldron of narrative artmaking and social justice. Inspired by performance artist/activist, Vinie Burrows, Helen began her career performing story through the lens of African American poetry. While earning a living in New York City working for social entrepreneur and independent television producer, A.H. Perlmutter, she spent her evenings performing classics from the black diaspora with Ernie McClintock’s repertory company. These years of rich creative exposure later encouraged her to devise applied theatre/social justice interventions for national housing, regional social service, and local juvenile justice agencies; child abuse and sexual assault prevention nonprofits; college and university departments; and faith organizations. In more recent years she has been exploring the complementary movements of self-reflection and community engagement through fiber crafts and theatre, respectively. Her fiber pieces invite a release from the emotional bonds of modern living while the engagement theatre practice seeks to strengthen community ties by exploring narrative through audience participation. She has authored two publications on artmaking practice, Response and Mirror Bright.


Sharon Nesbit-Davis is a writer, a mime, a storyteller, and a visual artist

Sharon Nesbit-Davis is a writer, a mime, a storyteller, and a visual artist dabbler who facilitates “Creative Recharge” and Rebel Writer workshops for all ages. She is the author of the memoir“Intended-A Marriage in Black & White”.

Sharon lives with her husband, George, in Rockford, IL. Their son and daughter are now grown, and married with families of their own.


Jacqueline Claire is a painter, illustrator, and storyteller, with a background in acting.

Jacqueline Claire is a painter, illustrator, and storyteller, with a background in acting. The focus of her integrated work is to empower audiences of all ages to develop a deeper connection to their spiritual reality. In addition to her “Spiritual Realism” fine art Jacqueline recently published an illustrated Bahá’í children’s book, “Noble Beings” and produces a biweekly podcast, “Spiritual Conversation”, as well as an active YouTube channel of Bahá’í inspired content for a wider audience. She lives in a little German river town in Texas between Austin and San Antonio.