Creativity became a sacred act of storytelling in the Opal House Summer 2025 Printmaking Workshop led by college senior Nathan Baggett from the University of Kentucky.
Alongside assistants Kevin España, Maricor, and Joseph Whaley, Nathan guided campers through the robust, hands-on process of linoleum block printing—where art becomes a voice for both beauty and brokenness.
Fish, Prints, and Shared Stories
Using hand-carved fish stamps, each camper created their unique patterns and prints. As the week unfolded, those individual works came together in a stunning collaborative ocean mural, symbolizing life in community.
Each fish print was a reminder:
Your story matters.
You belong here.
Your contribution adds depth to the whole.
Exploring Darkness with Courage
Midway through the week—on Conflict Day—the tone shifted.
Students were invited to cover their beautiful prints in black ink, representing the moments in life that feel dark, messy, or painful.
During this vulnerable moment, a young girl quietly asked,
“Is it normal that someone I know hurt me?”
Her brave question opened space for others to share, to listen, and to feel safe. It was a moment of raw honesty that moved beyond art—straight into the heart of healing.
Later, we learned from Opal House leadership that the team had already been lovingly walking with the student through her situation, advocating for her safety and restoration.
Revealing Light Beneath the Layers
But the black ink wasn’t the end of the story.
As students peeled back the layers, their original prints shone through—waves, fish, and movement still present beneath the darkness.
It was messy. It was beautiful. It was real.
As Nathan shared with the group:
“When we give our pain to God and each other, it doesn’t make the darkness disappear—but it helps us see the beauty that’s still possible through it.”
A Mural of Hope
By the end of the week, the collaborative mural radiated with color, texture, and meaning as a testament to hope, healing, and God’s presence in every layer of our lives.
As the children stood before their completed work, they weren’t just admiring a masterpiece—they were claiming the truth: Even the dark parts of my story belong.
I am seen.
I am loved.
I AM ART.
