The Creative Now: A Chat with Kerry-Ann Hamilton, Founder and Principal Counselor, KAH Consulting Group
As a kid, I spent many a dinner at a table surrounded by friends of my parents, an eclectic cast of characters — sculptors, writers, painters, creatives. That thread of creative community has remained in our offices, our teams, and our collaborations. But that thread feels thinner in this moment.
So I asked, with the purpose of sharing, and of supporting and caring for this creative community in its current, uncertain reality. I asked what people are doing, how they are feeling, how they are sparking creativity. It feels important to share what we do, when we can’t do all our doing.
Reaching out first to some of the talented people I’ve had the good fortune to profile though the Capitol Communicator portrait series. It’s my version of a virtual dinner table of sorts. Grab a chair and listen in to my conversation with Kerry-Ann Hamilton, Founder and Principal Counselor, KAH Consulting Group.
Kerry-Ann, what, if anything, are you doing differently?
I have always started my day with a morning workout — a bootcamp class or a pre-dawn swim. With gyms closed, I have been overly reliant on home exercises, including my pandemic-proof Peloton. But what I most look forward to are my evening walks of about five miles roundtrip — they have been invigorating and healing.
Are you staying creatively active?
The first way I try to stay creative and active is by beginning a news diet — I check in on the headlines a few times a day, but start with a big scan in the morning and watch the evening news. That is significantly less than my usual news consumption. I also sift through the podcasts for my favorite NPR shows — All Things Considered or Fresh Air — for non-COVID stories that offer a laugh or a human-interest piece that lifts me out of the mire of all things pandemic all the time. I am revisiting and reading new novels, and Audible has become a dear friend. I have also dusted off my Nikon and I am falling in love with photography again — capturing blue herons and sunsets on walks at the end of my workday. With more breaths, I am taking the time to see more in nature and it gives me hope that things will be normal again; but a new normal, filled with gratitude and a deep appreciation for friends, family and freedom.
How are you sparking yourself creatively?
Before we began staying alone, together, I had started taking a Story District class focused art on autobiographical storytelling. After our first week, class was postponed, and we have just resumed class online. I am excited about this new medium for expression. For my upcoming six-minute performance, I am leaning toward telling the class and our guests about the time I was detained by immigration authorities in Senegal. My hope is that after the crisis is over, I will be performing on a Moth Radio Hour stage.
