Understanding Grief and Community Connection Through Art with Candy Chang

On October 8, 2025, the innovative nonprofit Unlikely Collaborators will hold a special event, a Spark Salon, featuring the world-renowned artist and urban designer Candy Chang. The event, titled Designing Belonging: Creativity, Grief & the Spaces Between Us, will begin at 7:00 PM PT/10:00 PM ET at their headquarters in Santa Monica, California, and will also be streamed live for those unable to attend in person.

The Vital Role of Art in Processing Grief

Candy Chang is best known for her transformative Before I Die project, which originated from a deeply personal experience of loss. After the passing of a loved one, she began stenciling the phrase Before I die I want to ________ on an abandoned building in New Orleans. This simple yet profound prompt encouraged community members to engage with their own aspirations and thoughts about mortality, unveiling the collective grief that often remains tucked away in silence. The project has inspired more than 5,000 similar installations worldwide, fostering conversations about death, hope, and the importance of community support.

Chang’s work has highlighted the essential role of public spaces in addressing collective grief and forging connections among people, especially in a time marked by isolation and division. During the Spark Salon, she will delve into how creativity can transcend sorrow, nurture a sense of belonging, and transform public spaces into sites of healing and dialogue.

Expectations from the Spark Salon Event

The evening will commence with a reception at 6:00 PM, allowing attendees to mingle and enjoy refreshments before the program kicks off at 7:00 PM. Admission to the event is free, but participants must register in advance to secure their spots. As the event will be hybrid, it opens the door for a wider audience to engage with Chang's insights and artistry, offering a unique opportunity to address the universal theme of grief in innovative ways.

Candy Chang's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with various community organizations, exhibitions in renowned venues like the Venice Architecture Biennale and Tate Modern, and numerous features in major media outlets such as CNN and NBC. Her work stands as a testament to the notion that art can be a powerful catalyst for social change, prompting necessary conversations and fostering community resilience.

Unlikely Collaborators and Future Initiatives

The Spark Salon is a signature initiative of Unlikely Collaborators, founded by Elizabeth R. Koch with the mission of helping individuals and communities reframe their perspectives and enhance their understanding of the world around them. The organization adopts the Perception Box™ framework, which emphasizes how personal experiences shape our views and interact with larger societal issues.

Future Spark Salon events will continue this ethos of exploration and growth. Speakers will include experts from various fields, bringing a rich diversity of thought and inspiration to attendees. Previous salons have invited artists, psychologists, nutritionists, and more, promoting discussions that resonate on both personal and collective levels.

In an era where barriers to emotional expression can feel insurmountable, Candy Chang aims to remind us of the healing power of community engagement through creativity and shared vulnerability. By joining hands in remembrance and hope, we can reshape the spaces we inhabit, navigating grief while facilitating deeper connections that celebrate life.

Conclusion

Join us on October 8 for an inspiring evening with Candy Chang, where art meets interactive dialogue on grief and connection. Embrace the opportunity to learn how creativity can facilitate healing, inspire belonging, and foster a supportive community atmosphere. For registration and more details, visit the Unlikely Collaborators' official website. Let’s embark on this journey of understanding together, recognizing that through shared experiences, we truly belong.