[ Action ] Share warmth, spread care: Write letters to incarcerated survivors with Sade LaNay

Our good friend and frequent collaborator Sade LaNay set up a station at Bushel for writing to incarcerated survivors during the holiday season — or any season. Come write a letter here during open hours and we’ll send it for you, or take away a copy of the instruction sheet and list of recipients (provided by Support Ho(s)e Collective and Survived & Punished, respectively). Or join us from home by following this guide from Survived & Punished. Keep an eye on our Instagram and mailing list to find out when Sade will be present for a co-writing session.

For more about Sade LaNay, visit their website.

[Archive] Mental Health: Care, Support & Recovery (online panel discussion)

In conjunction with the exhibition “Jessica Farrell: The Wilderness Diary” Bushel hosted this online event on November 9, 2021 to discuss the mental health crisis in rural communities, particularly in Delaware County, NY. [NOTE: Please excuse the camera snafu at six:forty-five; video resumes in one minute.]

The panelists: artist and mental-health advocate JESSICA FARRELL (www.jessicafarrell.com), Schoharie County peer specialist JASON PADEN (@Jase.Media), Syracuse–based advocate GARRETT SMITH (www.cleanslateny.org), Oneonta artist and student ARIANNA ILOWIT, and president of NAMI local chapter BILL HAYES (nami.org). Moderated by Mina Takahashi, working collective member, Bushel Collective, Delhi, NY (www.bushelcollective.org).

[Essay] Molly Yakusan Stevens, on leading Bushel’s Thursday morning meditation group

Since soon after the COVID-19 pandemic started, Bushel friend and exhibiting artist Molly Yakusan Stevens has been leading a weekly meditation group online. The group is ongoing and open to new members (details and calendar here). In this article, Yakusan reflects on the origins and practice of leading this group, which is an affiliate of The New York Zen Center. You can read Yakusan’s reflection on the Zen Center’s website.

[Archive] Mail Art Roulette

In May 2020, as one of several fundraisers to support local efforts to help Delaware County residents cope with the emergence of the COVID-19 epidemic, we invited nearly 90 artists to donate mail art to contributors participating in Mail Art Roulette. Together, we raised over $6,200, which was distributed to food banks in Walton, Delhi, Margaretville, Stamford, and Andes/Bovina, as well as to Star Route Farm and The 607 CSA to support produce and farm goods going to local food bank. You can see some of the wonderful mail art that was sent to donors in the slideshow above.

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[Archive] First Friday Benefit for O’Connor Hospital

Bushel dedicated the April 2020 edition of first_friday to raise funds for our local hospital first responders as they take on the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit was hosted by Bushel’s own D. Marcus Johnson and featured streaming live musical performances by: Jane Cramer The Bones of J.R. Jones Zach Layton (Jonathan Kane’s February) Peg Simone (Jonathan Kane’s February) Catherine McRae Kelli Cain & Brian Crabtree.

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[Archive] Delaware County Solidarity meetings

The Delaware County Solidarity group met monthly at Bushel from fall 2016 through fall 2018, and now continues via the Delaware County Solidarity listserv. “Delaware County Solidarity is a group working to promote the awareness of local issues, advance human rights and social justice, and protect the environment through research, advocacy, information sharing, and community-wide events. Delco Solidarity is based in Delaware County, New York.” To apply, contact: cooperativemichael1@gmx.com

BUSHEL TURNS ONE! (PLEASE HELP US TURN TWO…)

Bushel is one year old! We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for your many contributions—of enthusiasm, ideas, creativity, knowledge (and cash!)—throughout the year.

We are a volunteer-run, registered nonprofit with no financial goal but to break even (some months we do, others we don’t). While we know there are many organizations deserving of your end-of-year contributions, we ask that you consider donating to support our continued existence on Main Street in Delhi.

DONATE NOW (or keep reading…)

Over the last year our eclectic bunch of conspirators and collaborators has brought such diverse programming to Delhi as: a library and bookstore featuring DIY and contemporary poetry; exhibitions from local and far-flung artists; literary readings and storytelling events; film screenings and multi-media performances; music and dance; farmer meet-ups; art and self-defense classes; yoga, reiki, massage, and more.

Together, we have learned how electric trucks work, discussed revolutionary feminist texts, and gathered and sent supplies to the water protectors at Standing Rock. We opened a Free Store that we’ll keep operating as long as people continue to use it. And we’ve served as an evolving, accessible space for co-working, community meetings of many kinds, from shape-note singing to political resistance. We have more in store for the new year, including increased open hours, shows by artists hailing from Troy, NY to Amman, Jordan and many places between; open and curated poetry readings; experimental music performances; collaborations with SUNY Delhi, the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, and more.

We’re planning a belated birthday party for early in the new year. We hope to see you then or sooner! Love, Bushel