GAIA Brings a Whole New Meaning to “We Outside”
“We outside…” You’ve heard the slang—people say it all the time—but we hardly ever talk about what outside actually means. When one talks about wanting to connect with nature, there’s often an inherent desire to get in touch with something greater than one’s self. This desire, however, is something we can’t always put into words.
As members of a society that praises aspects of rugged individualism, we’re often conditioned to overlook the value in connecting with the world around us. But in true coming-of-age fashion, younger generations are beginning to acknowledge outside as more than just a physical destination, or a thing you can put down and forget about once you leave. To GAIA and those who associate with it, outside is a living, breathing part of our community.
In a collaborative effort to increase environmental awareness and raise charity proceeds, the organizers of GAIA’s May 21st event wanted to shed light on how our actions impact the wellbeing of our planet. From the backyard of Artesian Enterprises’ Fort Washington (Maryland) location, the event featured a multitude of attractions including artist performances, small business vendors, sustainability workshops, guided meditation, and local clothing brands. Attendees were also able to enjoy live music and plant based food options throughout its duration.
When interdisciplinary artist Haaliyah Scott originally came up with the idea, she felt it was important to address climate change while combating the sense of disempowerment that usually comes to mind when conceptualizing such a large-scale issue. When asked about the inspiration for the event, she mentioned how “people feel like what they do doesn’t matter.” For this reason, her goal in putting on this event was to bring awareness to the power in our decisions and how each of us have the ability to profoundly impact the environment.
Haaliyah went on to explain that she originally envisioned the event to be on Earth Day, but decided to push it back to have a chance to highlight local vendors and creatives of color. This endeavor would eventually materialize into the event’s fashion show, a closing segment which featured sustainable designers and an all-Black cast of models.
Another key component of the event’s development was a commitment on the part of the organizers to create a safe space for attendees to show up as their authentic selves. This commitment became all the more apparent during a conversation NUNAR had with CNT, the logistics expert for the event. While reflecting on his interactions with Haaliyah during the planning process, CNT mentioned how an overarching goal for the event was to give back a sense of community. Regarding the event’s setting, he remarked, “We wanted to create something different from your typical kickback, something more intimate.”
This attention to detail was instrumental in building communion amongst all who were in attendance, and this went a long way towards leaving the attendees with something impactful. Whether it was a new friend, a business connection, or a compelling message, everybody at the event seemed to have something to smile about.
Aside from the communion being built amongst the attendees, the event provided an exuberant environment for connections to be made between its featured creatives. When TÄCO, one of the musical performers, spoke to NUNAR about his experience, he mentioned “I saw some of my friends perform, people from prior shows, as well as people I’d hadn’t met yet. I was able to make some nice connections and friendships today.” He also expressed his sincere appreciation for Haaliyah, who extended an invite to the event, adding “her energy is just so organic and natural—you don’t really find a lot of people who are so welcoming and open arms to everyone.”
Kayrxn, another musical performer, echoed those sentiments, saying “She’s got nothing but vibes, nothing but positive energy. She put me on this card and now I’m able to see my friends out here growing and prospering together.”
With the impending summer months on the horizon, the DMV is hoping to indulge and be outside with more events like this to build communion with one another. With a conscious eye towards our impact on the environment, GAIA reminds us that we all have a part to play in building a community that can keep our planet safe.
