Pitches from Wind and Wall

Feeding the Good Wolf — An Oral History of B. Mifflin Hood

“Why write love poetry in a burning world? To train myself, in the midst of a burning world, to offer poems of love to a burning world.” — Katie Farris

The Project

I am an applied researcher living in Atlanta across the street from a beautiful, historically designated, renovated-so-people-can-live-there brick factory, the B. Mifflin Hood Brick Company. B. Mifflin Hood was an activist industrialist brick maker who stood against convict leasing, a prevalent practice in the post-Civil War United States.

I aim to tell the story of a space that brings together art, history, and activism. It will answer the questions: What can/does resistance look like? What role can/does art play in resistance, creating community, and pursuing justice? What can a building teach us as a conduit for history, testimony to justice, and substance of/for resistance?

After years of living next to the space and insightful conversations with the artist/activist couple who renovated it, the architect who redesigned it, and the artist who created the public art outside it. I am prepared to explore the person and space. I am ready to offer a love letter to art, history, and activism.

Food Banks and Michelin Stars: A Much Needed Conversation

I am an experienced writer, fine diner, and food bank volunteer. I have enjoyed meals at some of the world’s most lauded restaurants. I know many sommelier’s recommendations by heart. I am familiar with the experience of tastes that bring tears followed by a silence that can only be explained as ecstasy./ I also serve food to people who are hungry./ As a publication that tells food’s story, and connects it with history and culture, telling a personal narrative of why food matters, and that food insecurity must concern us all, is timely and important./ My experience at our food bank is one of joy and understanding. Our common humanity is evident when we feed one another. Joy enters in when we see beyond ourselves./ This story is important. The people who care about food — of which I am one — are the same people who can lead the charge to feed hungry people. Our separateness — the distance between a Michelin star restaurant and where I volunteer, which serves to exacerbate hunger — can be mended through sharing this story./ I am including the link to my substack — The Wide-Awakeness Project — to provide a picture of my work. Also, here is the link to selected publications for a focused look at my writing experience.

The Lesson of Wolves: Art, Science, and Technology

The Red Wolf (Canis Rufus) is native to the Southeast and by 1970 was on the brink of extinction. Through conservation efforts, a small number were reintroduced in the wild./ The wolves depicted here proudly bring the endangered species’ plight to light. The railroad ties honor the rail lines that are now the Atlanta Beltline. All bricks have been salvaged from old buildings in the neighborhood; many of these bricks were made by the B. Mifflin Hood Brick Company whose historic showroom stands behind the sculpture. This building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of the role its namesake founder played in helping end convict leasing in Georgia./ Canis Rufus was donated to the City of Atlanta by Laura Adams and Andrew Feiler and was funded by their friends and family in celebration of their wedding. — Canis Rufus plaque

Art exists at the intersection of science and nature. Art can tell the story of endangered species and social progress. Art can be the product of natural processes and materials. Art can coexist with/in nature, bringing beauty, context and relevance to our everyday. I live in a renovated factory next to Canis Rufus. I walk daily past its thoughtful presence. The story of Canis Rufus is important for several reasons. As an invitation to pay attention to art and nature, it asks us to look around and connect with our natural world. As a conservation story, it brings together art, awareness, and sustainability. The Canis Rufus story is also an act of appreciation. Appreciation for a family’s love, a community’s commitment to endangered species, and an artist’s skill./ I’m a writer, researcher, and lover of stories. I have trekked the Abel Tasman, bathed in the healing waters of Tirta Empul, and kissed the Blarney Stone in search of wide-awakeness. I have written about the arts and sciences for leading organizations such as the Blue Man Group, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, NASA, Ohio University, the University of Cincinnati, several state Departments of Education, and the United States Department of Education. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin./ Please find the attached photo of Canis Rufus. To find out more about my work, visit https://substack.com/@katiesteedlycurling.

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