Delmar Divide, The Finale Panel

We have been working with Cowry Collective member, animator and artist - Sarah Paulsen for a couple of months and this week we debut our first very short, very informative film!

See you at the Delmar Divide Finale discussion!

Thursday, May 1, 7:00p 

Missouri History Museum

Join us for the Delmar Divide finale discussion that has spanned over the course of two years. This evening will include reflection from the organizations involved and updates from the organizations you selected, such as the Cowry Collective and the Sweet Potato Project. Feel free to bring information to distribute from your own division addressing projects.
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Background: In early March of 2012 Franz Strasser, a reporter for BBC World in Washington was researching background information on St. Louis for a news report. He found himself filming a second news report based on what his research uncovered; a city still segregated. The video features St. Louisans, as they share their insights into racial and socioeconomic segregation in the city.

Currency as Art

"Currency" 
This work initiates a conversation about individual value and our sense of self-worth.  It explores how seeing ourselves in a positive light can increase our value as helpful members of society.

The work poses several questions:  Can achieving our highest self be our maximum currency?  Can everyday life be thought of as spiritual currency?

"Currency" consists of a series of paintings, 11x14.  Each painting is a portrait with a coin drawn around it with the words of our familiar 1, 5, 10, and 25 cent coins....The words, "Liberty" and "In God We Trust" line the walls along with everyday extraordinary humans--and animals--for the viewers' contemplation.  www.sylviamaier.com

As an artist and a person wedded to the idea of 'Self-actualization For All' I am so thankful that a friend shared the work of Sylvia Maier with me today!

April showers bring May garden and urban farm exchanges through The Cowry Collective!

Join us at our next meet-up for Timebanking 101 and a potluck.  

Bring your interest, a friend, and a dish to share.  You earn cowries for this! 

If you have recently signed up and want to start making exchanges and meet others in the collective, this is the event for you. We had a lively and packed meet-up in March and we cannot wait to see you.  In the meantime, sign-up at www.thecowrycollective.org.

Sunday, April 13, 2014
Rowan Community Center

1401 Rowan Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63112

2-4 pm

The Cowry Collective at Washington University!

 Please RSVP here. 

Questioning Consumerism Is Newsworthy!

When I was contacted in December by Rosalind Early of St. Louis Magazine to do a story on the collective I was happy for the exposure we would gain and also tickled by serendipity playfully dancing into my life again.  I patiently waited for two months for the article to surface and this week it has!

The Cowry Collective is featured in the March edition of St. Louis Magazine.  We are so excited to have our timebank highlighted and to gain exposure in St. Louis which is the home of timebanking.  I look forward to meeting Renee Marver who was involved in the organization of the M.O.R.E network at Grace Hill Settlement House to gain insight into the rich history of timebanking in our fair town and properly situate our work within this context. There is no other way to effectively and justly do community work than learning what people and groups have contributed before you as you aim to continue a legacy.  Here's to honoring the past and collaborating in a RICH money-free St. Louis!

“Everyday is a bank account, 

and time is our currency.  

No one is rich, no one is poor, 

we’ve got 24 hours each.”

 -Christopher Rice

Monthly Meet-ups Every Second Sunday!

Join us every second Sunday of the month from 2-4 pm to have a fun timebanking 101 experience where you will meet other collective members and share in a potluck.  Our next meet-up is:

February 9th, 2-4 pm at 
Gya Community Gallery 
2700 Locust Avenue

Bring a friend and some food to share!  Cowries (timedollars) will be given for attending and participating!

We would like to rotate locations and are on the lookout for other community collaborators to host our meet-ups.  If you have any leads, do let us know!