Mr.Brightside

chapter 108

Building Bridges

Clara spent the next few days poring over the notes from the interviews, cross-referencing schedules, and balancing the potential board members like pieces of a puzzle. It wasn't just about skills or experience—it was about chemistry, about creating a team that could both challenge and support one another.

By Thursday morning, the final list was ready. Clara, Liam, Jenna, and Liana gathered in the meeting room, the names written in bold on the whiteboard.

Marissa Rodriguez

Harold Easton

Tanya Bennett – the community activist with a talent for organizing grassroots projects.

Jordan King – a college student and Art on the Move alumnus, eager to bridge the past and future of the initiative.

Rachel Nguyen – a local business owner with a knack for fundraising and a deep love for the arts.

The room buzzed with quiet approval as the names were read aloud.

"This is it," Jenna said, smiling. "This is the team that's going to take us to the next level."

"They're all so different," Liam added. "But I think that's what's going to make this work."

Clara leaned back in her chair, a mix of relief and anticipation washing over her. "Let's get them together. If this is going to work, they need to meet each other and start building trust right away."

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The first meeting of the leadership board was scheduled for the following Saturday, held in the very garden they'd just celebrated. Clara wanted the setting to inspire them, to remind everyone why they were there. She arrived early, arranging chairs in a circle near the largest sculpture and setting out a table of coffee and pastries.

Marissa was the first to arrive, her energy as bright as ever. "I can't believe I'm actually here," she said, looking around the garden with wide eyes. "This place is magical."

"You belong here," Clara assured her, gesturing to the growing circle of chairs.

The others trickled in soon after. Harold came with a neatly typed folder of notes, Rachel brought a platter of cookies from her café, and Tanya arrived with her young daughter in tow, who immediately dashed off to explore the playground. Jordan showed up last, balancing a messenger bag stuffed with notebooks and a sketchpad.

The introductions were warm but tinged with an undercurrent of nervousness. These were strangers, after all, each from a different walk of life, brought together by a shared vision but still learning how to connect.

Clara cleared her throat and stepped into the center of the circle. "Thank you all for being here today. This garden, this program—it exists because of people like you. People who believe in the power of art to transform lives and communities."

She paused, scanning the group. "But this isn't just my project anymore. It's ours. And that means we'll be making decisions together, learning from each other, and building something bigger than any of us could create alone."

The words seemed to resonate. Harold nodded, and Tanya gave a small smile, her daughter now perched quietly on her lap.

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The first task was an icebreaker, led by Jenna, who'd brought a deck of cards with prompts designed to spark conversation.

"What's one piece of art that's changed your life?" she asked, reading the first card.

Rachel spoke about a painting her grandmother had passed down, a vivid landscape that had inspired her to open her café and host local artists. Marissa shared a story about a mural in her childhood neighborhood, a project that had transformed a forgotten alley into a space of pride.

When it was Jordan's turn, he hesitated, looking down at his hands. "Honestly? It was one of Art on the Move's first projects. The one with the traveling mosaic wall. I was a kid when it came to our town, and I remember thinking... this is the first time someone's asked what I think. What I feel."

Clara felt a lump in her throat. She remembered that project vividly, how it had sparked her dream of expanding the program beyond a single community. Hearing that it had touched someone so deeply made all the long hours and setbacks worth it.

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The rest of the meeting was a mix of brainstorming and practical planning. Each member brought something unique to the table—Harold's structured approach balanced by Tanya's grassroots insight, Rachel's business acumen softened by Marissa's warmth and energy.

By the time the meeting wrapped up, the group had outlined their first major goal: expanding the garden's programming to include seasonal workshops and public art projects in neighboring towns. They also discussed launching a scholarship fund, an idea spearheaded by Jordan, who wanted to give young artists the same opportunities he'd found through Art on the Move.

Clara watched the group with a growing sense of pride. They were clicking, slowly but surely. Conversations overlapped, ideas sparked, and laughter broke the occasional tension.

As the meeting ended and chairs were stacked, Marissa lingered behind, walking with Clara through the garden.

"You've created something amazing here," Marissa said, her voice soft. "And I hope you know it's not just the art. It's you. The way you've brought people together—it's a gift."

Clara felt a blush rise to her cheeks. "It's not just me. It never was. This has always been about the people. I just gave them a place to meet."

Marissa smiled. "Well, whatever you're doing, don't stop. Because it's working."

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As Clara watched the last of the group leave, she felt a deep sense of satisfaction. The leadership board was officially underway, and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she wasn't carrying the weight of the program alone.

The future of Art on the Move was bright, and as Clara locked the garden gates that evening, she felt a quiet confidence settle over her. Together, they could take this movement further than she'd ever dreamed.  

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982 words