Gabbe Grodin

Gabbe Grodin is an artist, educator and arts administrator. In her current role as the Education Director for Bihl Haus Arts in San Antonio, she organizes a prolific program of 38 free, weekly, year-round art classes for senior citizens and veterans.

“People are all programmed to create, so why don’t we all do it? I chose to speak when the topic was trust because I often wonder if people are being deprogrammed - told to mistrust their built-in creative drives - something I observe at work everyday when I try to get adults to pick up a paintbrush and make a mark. When they finally do, it's because they've remembered to trust in their programming, even if it's a fleeting moment long enough for only one stroke.”

• photo credit: Sam Owens