Weekend Break: ‘Simple Loving Kindness’
Published 1:00 pm Friday, February 28, 2025
- “Meditation” by Kitty Paino is part of the March exhibit “Simple Loving Kindness,” based on a meditation of the same name.
A community art exhibit inspired by a meditation practice will be on display at the Astoria Visual Arts gallery in March.
“Simple Loving Kindness” is the brain and heart child of Nancy Karacand, an Astoria artist who primarily works with jewelry.
Karacand read Stephen Levine’s book “Healing Into Life and Death” and for 40 years the opening of the meditation that lends its name to the new show has been her favorite.
“I’ve used it when I’m trying to fall asleep at night. I’ve used it when I’m struggling with a relationship, and I just want to change my attitude,” Karacand said. “It’s a powerful tool.”
She also continued to use the meditation in her former social work and counseling practice, where she recognized the power of art in healing.
Having incorporated the phrases into her own creative practice over the years, she shared an idea last year for a dedicated exhibit based on the meditation with her friends.
“These phrases are so beautiful, and they’re so evocative, what if we had a way of representing them visually?” she remembered thinking.
The group started meeting for meditation sessions, expanding over time, and Karacand proposed the exhibit to the Astoria arts nonprofit. Once the date was set, Karacand organized a series of sessions in Astoria and Seaside to familiarize artists with the practice behind the work.
“I would ask artists to share what kind of images came up for them, hearing the words of the meditation and as people shared, an excitement that started to build,” Karacand said. “It’s been amazing and delightful to see what people are coming up with.”
Twenty-five local and regional artists of varying experience levels responded to the open call for works. They range in age from 14 to 88. The exhibit will feature more than 50 pieces loosely organized around the three sections of the meditation: “To Oneself,” “To a Loved One,” and “To the World.”
“It’s a variety of artists, mediums and works,” said Karacand, whose pieces include an acrylic painting and a sculpture. “Some of the work is colorful, some of it is more somber. It’s going to be a diverse and playful show.”
Annie Eskelin, Astoria Visual Arts’ executive director, highlighted the match of Karacand’s proposal for the exhibit with the gallery’s mission.
“We’re overjoyed to be able to provide a platform for Nancy’s concept. It shines as a contribution to the community. It’s the type of show that you would not see in a for-profit gallery,” she said. “It’s great to realize it together.”
“Simple Loving Kindness” will be on display at the Astoria Visual Arts gallery on Duane Street through April 6.
”To Oneself”
May I dwell in the heart
May I be free from suffering
May I be healed
May I be at peace
May my heart flower
May I know the joy of my own true nature
May I be healed into this moment
May I be whole
”To a Loved One”
May you dwell in your heart
May you be free from suffering
May you be healed
May you be at peace
May your heart flower
May your heart be ever open
May you be healed into this moment
May you be freed of any suffering
May you be healed wherever healing is called for
May you know the deepest levels of peace
May you dwell in the open heart
May you know your deepest joy, your greatest peace
”To the World”
May all beings be free of suffering
May all beings be at peace
May all beings be healed of their suffering
May all sentient beings, to the most recently born, be free of fear, be free of pain
May all beings heal into their true nature
May all beings know the absolute joy of absolute being
May all beings everywhere be healed and whole
May all beings dwell in their heart
May all beings be healed
May all beings be at peace
May all beings dwell in the heart of healing
