I know most of our readers hail from Nashville and are all too aware of the tragic floods that occurred last week.  If you are not from Nashville and want more information on the flood,  you can check it out here.

We have seen the pictures and many of us know families who have been devastated by this event.  Even the “lucky” ones have water damage of some kind or have lost some personal belongings in the flood.  Travel has been disrupted in every part of the city and Nashville’s ailing utility infrastructure is being pushed to maximum capacity.  A water treatment plant was flooded, so Nashvillians have cut water usage by 50%.  (if they haven’t, you can report them here :-0 )   The water is still receding and the recovery process is only beginning.   All we have left is mud, sewage, ruined property and intense human suffering.  Or is that all?  Where do we go from here?

In watching the facebook/twitter accounts of my peers, it’s evident that a sense of camaraderie is taking shape in a powerful way.  Random acts of kindness are popping up everywhere, whether it be buying a stranger a dehumidifier or letting a them use your truck to haul debris from their home.  Nashvillians are coming together and rallying around their city and each other.  It’s really amazing…and no, I haven’t added a twibbon to my twitter avatar yet,  but I am getting there.  As I watch, one of the most powerful effects of this event might be a resurgent belief that people really are kind and helpful and they love their city!

I want to ask another question.  How will the artists of Nashville respond?  There are benefit concerts going on all weekend for the next few weeks in and around our city, and that is fabulous.  The money is needed.  But will the ripples go beyond a few weeks?  Will we use creativity to comfort, support and remember this flood for years to come?  Will the flood be remembered for the art that was produced in its aftermath?  Will art be a key way that this city processes all that has happened?  I think this is a great opportunity for every artist in Nashville and Lightfield certainly hopes to play a part in all of it.  In our next post, we will continue to think about these questions and look at ourselves for the answers.

-lewis