Zephyr Callister is Tending the Spring

Hello readers! My name is Zephyr Callister and I have been at Springhouse for five years now. Describing what Springhouse has done for me and means to me concisely is a challenge but I will do my best! The most potent moment of my Springhouse experience that sums up how much this place has impacted me was on a school trip to Franks Island. During an art project where we were making linoleum carvings to print on little cards to leave around town. On this particular day I was struggling to put my thoughts and ideas into a cohesive design. At this time my identity as an artist was wrapped up in all these negative feelings of pressure, expectations, and the outcome needing to look a certain way. I remember that I actually started to cry and was so stressed about this little project. My mentor at the time, Roxanne Greenberg took my hand and led me outside. Away from the busy environment and out onto the peaceful beach. We then began to walk into the water, fully clothed and in the chilly winds we waded out until the water was up to our waists. She then held both my hands, looked into my eyes and said the one thing I needed to hear most, “you are enough.” Repeating it until I echoed it back to myself. For the first time in months, I believed it. The card I made was perfectly simple. It said “you are enough.” and it's one of my favorite prints I've made. I now have them spread around my house as little reminders. The journey toward self love and acceptance is an ongoing point of growth for me, but I genuinely don't believe I would be where I am today without the constant love and support from this community. I'm tending the spring because the future needs more of the support, community and love that is fostered here. Thank you for reading my story. I'm extremely grateful for any and all donations, no matter the amount! 

If you donate $50 dollars or more I will send you a mystery art print of one of my original paintings! If you donate $100 dollars or more I will draw or paint you a small original piece of art in a framable size! 

This June, Springhouse is raising $120,000 to sustain the staff, the land, and the practices that keep this community alive, and to support what's next, including working with land and creativity to grow food and make art, attuning to the seasons year round.

You are not just supporting an organization. You are tending a spring, one that nourishes our local community and ripples out, inspiring people and places beyond.

Every gift helps keep the spring flowing. Give Today!