Artist in Residence Kat King brings joy and inspiration through music!
For the past four weeks, creativity has been bountiful at Schaefer Cabin thanks to our wonderful Artist in Residence Kat King. Kat has spent the last month living at Schaefer Cabin sharing her talent and passion for music with the kids. Groups from each unit were able to visit Kat at the cabin each week and experience all that music can do to benefit a person’s mental and emotional state. Writing, playing, and listening to music can be a positive outlet for the kids to be able to outwardly portray and understand what it is they may be struggling with internally. Music is a great way for an individual to express themselves and to connect with a group, making it easier to open up and communicate emotions and thoughts.
At Northwest Passage, this year, the Artist in Residence program allowed our residents to explore their imagination, use
creative writing to express themselves, and find purpose in their lives through the vehicle of music. Truly, it’s been amazing
to behold a glimpse of their stories taking flight.
The process of songwriting began with the kids and Kat going on a silent nature hike down to the Namekagon River and through the woods, observing their senses and surroundings. After the hike, the kids were given time to free-write about what they saw, heard, and felt. Once everyone was given the time to reflect, the kids began to share the things in nature they observed. As the kids shared, Kat wrote down all the different expressions and metaphors that the kids used to relate nature back to their experiences. In no time the groups had established a unique, collaboratively written song. The kids then worked with Kat on the melodies, and getting their songs performance ready for the Artist Reception that was held at the end of Kat’s stay.
Many of their writings were incredibly deep and insightful and before I knew it we had a whole marker board full of potential
song lyrics and ideas. It was fun to see one kid share an idea and soon other kids in the room were lighting up and sharing
their own ideas, the room alive with a creative energy that I live for. The cabin allowed me the space and solitude to come up
with melodies to their lyrics and seeing their reactions from watching their songs come to life was incredibly rewarding.
Watching the process unfold and ideas come together, the introspection and the laughter, and the creativity and insight guided by a gifted artist and team of dedicated counselors was truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Kat helped the kids to not only find the musicians and songwriters within themselves but also to incorporate lyrics with metaphors from nature and their own journeys of mental health. The songs they created helped to show their true selves and they will become part of the way that they define themselves to the world.
Songs
Raging Fire
By Maple
If I go near the water, my flames might burn out
So I stand here staring with this fear and doubt, fear and doubt
This fast moving current fills me with dread
All these “what if’s” swirling around in my head, in my head
Chorus:
A few drops of water may dampen the flame
But the current can’t stop me, I’ll rise above the pain
I take a deep breath and my dreams rage on
Pushing past the water that’s confined me so long
My mental health may have left a smudge
But watch me trek on through the sludge, through the sludge
Jumping this river may help me say
I made it through another day, another day
Chorus:
Oh – oh – oh- oh- oh- oh- oh (4X)
Bridge:
My hopes and dreams rage on
Because of the fire, the forest lives on
My roots are settled deep and strong
I finally feel like I belong
Raging Fire
Wooden Palace
Wooden Palace
By Willow
Birds call out somewhere above
Welcoming us with their songs of love
Let the river lead you there
It can guide you anywhere
Hearing birds sing as we walk
I would rather listen than talk
I can hope, I can dream
I can laugh, I can sing
Trees stand tall, peace sets in
Schaefer Cabin is a win
Palace full of positivity
It can be your friend if you let it be
Unplugged with an open heart
Absorbing nature brings a new start
Set things free, let them live
Endless vibes nature can give
Enter in, forget your worries
Let it speak, hear the stories
Trees stand tall, peace sets in
Schaefer Cabin is a win
River of Sorrow, River of Hope
River of Sorrow, River of Hope
By Riverside
The river rushing by, I’m getting passed by
I’m stuck while things keep moving
Sometimes life isn’t for choosing
The process, oh, so slow
Leaves are the first to go
Now a log, but once a tree
This isn’t how it’s supposed to be
I have hit rock bottom, now it’s time to rise
Maybe getting stuck was a blessing in disguise
These layers are holding me together
My temporary home – I won’t be stuck forever
This is just a pause
The things I’ve been through, the things I have seen
The things I have witnessed – I wish my mind was clean
I’ve come to realize I wouldn’t change a thing
Everything I’ve been through
It’s made me who I’m meant to be
Once a river of sorrow
Now the river of hope
Fast or slow
Ready for the torrential flow
Life is Nature
By Oak
I have the eye of sight, but I can’t see
Feels like I’m being walked on like leaves
Would somebody please show respect to me
River is the path driven by the current
Taking away the pain so I won’t feel hurt
Chorus:
Standing tall and firm like a tree
And ask for what I need
I can be as confident as I want to be
River is flowin’ like the breeze that’s blowin’
Always flowing forward, I won’t go back
Looking downstream with uncertainty
Not knowing where it leads
Fill up my soul with the peace it needs
I’m beginning to see this positivity
The path that is within me
The path that is within me for which I need
Life is Nature
I believe there’s a magic about the Artist in Residence program that no other program can grasp. I get to see the residents
engage each moment we spend at Schaefer Cabin and watch them grow as a unit and as individuals, which helps
tremendously in their self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness. The program also connects them with nature,
creativity, and the relationships they form while at Northwest Passage.
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