LET’S MEET SARAH ON A PERSONAL LEVEL …
How would you describe yourself Sarah?
I am a community-engaged multimedia artist and trained mental health professional who brings many years of passion and experience in prevention, youth development, health promotion, clinical care, and art. A strength of mine is engaging others in collective, values-driven action to create connected, healthy and resilient communities that know how to care for ourselves and each other. My top values are accessibility, equity, community, and creativity.
Most recently as Mental Health Director at a local Y I have led change within the organization, community, state & in the national Y Movement. I call this the Mental Health Revolution, taking mental health out of the clinic and into the community to build health equity for all.
As Winona’s first-ever Creative Laureate I am focused on creative place-making that amplifies the voices of community members who have been historically marginalized.
I am also an adjunct professor at Winona State University in the Counselor Education Program in Winona, MN.
I believe in the power of possibility. Color, light, and community are my SOUL FUEL.
What is your biggest accomplishment?
I have lots of thoughts on this one, the first being that I haven’t achieved it yet. Another thought I have is simply remaining relative healthy–it’s a hard world we live in. And yet another is related to the relationships and ways of engaging with other humans.
Have you read any good books?
So many! I have piles and piles I’m reading. Currently I’m reading Becky Chambers’ delightful science fiction that imagines a world beyond the binary.
Who is your personal hero?
My mom comes immediately to mind. She was an incredibly resilient, creative, and compassionate person who was a stabilizing force for me even when she herself struggled.
Do you have a life philosophy that you live by?
I jokingly say my life motto is “partly classy, part of the time” because I typically have food in my scarf or my skirt tucked into my tights or some other nonsense going on. My actual life philosophy is about having a positive impact on the world in every way that I can.
What do you like most about yourself?
My creativity and curiosity.
If you could change the world, what would you change?
How long do you have? Most fundamentally, I strive to change the world to be a place where we all know how to effectively take care of ourselves and each other. This would also mean a world in which systems of oppression that hold racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, ageism, ableism…ALL of the isms…in place are dismantled. This is also a world where everyone has equitable access to healthy foods, safe homes/neighborhoods/communities, healthcare…
What do you think is the meaning of life?
Community.
Do you prefer working alone, or do you like working with others?
Both! I’m an introvert who works in/with community in extremely extroverted ways.
What’s something that no one would guess about you?
I’m an introvert.
What is your deepest belief about life?
It is fragile and a gift.
If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
In my own body, rested, well, ready for the day.
If you could be doing anything, anywhere right now, what and where would it be?
Quite honestly, I’m doing it.
If I get a second choice, it would be playing in warm ocean waves on a remote island with a handful of my favorite people.
How do you work on yourself?
Meditation, art, hiking, reading, learning, leaning on others, asking for help when I need it, snuggling with my cats.
What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?
Trauma, losing my brother at a young age, losing my mom, sickness, anxiety, not knowing what I don’t know, perfectionism, among other things.
How do you handle being in a bad mood?
Allowing my emotions to be informative, and responding accordingly.
What did you learn about yourself from any of your previous relationships?
I’m a lot. And worth it.
How has this pandemic affected YOU or YOUR BUSINESS here in the Driftless?
I ended up working from home…and I did not see other people in person for over a year. I ended up going into business for myself and now get to work with people hyperlocally, nationally and everything in between.
What is your favorite season in the Driftless & why?
All of them. Each offer colors and life that is distinct and gorgeous!
What color socks are you currently wearing?
all of the colors
What 1 message would you put in a bottle?
You can do this.
What was your very first job?
Ice cream server at a place called Nanny Goats
I Would Rather …
Live in a tree house
SO WHAT DO YOU DO FOR BUSINESS OR WORK?
I was born down the Mississippi in Dubuque Iowa and have been in the Driftless area for more than 20 years.
What keeps me here is the people and the surprising amount of creativity and support for creatives.
I started my own business called The Joy Labs in November 2021. I am a community-engaged multimedia artist and trained mental health professional who brings many years of passion and experience in prevention, youth development, health promotion, clinical care, and art. A strength of mine is engaging others in collective, values-driven action to create connected, healthy and resilient communities that know how to care for ourselves and each other. My top values are accessibility, equity, community, and creativity.
Most recently as Mental Health Director at a local Y I have led change within the organization, community, state & in the national Y Movement. I call this the Mental Health Revolution, taking mental health out of the clinic and into the community to build health equity for all.
As Winona’s first-ever Creative Laureate I am focused on creative place-making that amplifies the voices of community members who have been historically marginalized. I’m in year three of of a three-year term.
I am also an adjunct professor at Winona State University in the Counselor Education Program in Winona, MN. I have taught at WSU for 17 years.
Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career with your business.
The Mental Health Community Care model that I have been building for many years is being tested and beginning to be scaled in the national Y Movement. This has been my life’s work and I am very proud of what we (I have had lots of help along the way) have accomplished so far. And more to come!
Tell us about a recent project or problem that you made better, faster, smarter, more efficient, or less expensive.
The Mental Health Community Care model includes tools and resources that we keep iterating to make as usable and feasible as possible–especially important because there is an even greater urgency around mental health needs and strained capacity to implement new things.
What do you wish other people knew about you or your business?
I would LOVE to share about the partnership I have with the Great River Shakespeare Festival (grsf) and the community engaged play project that is underway.