Strangers in today's New York Times! ❤️ ✏️ 👀 🎧️

And a few of your fruits, to boot.

Hi DrawTogether Grown-Ups Table Fam!

Some fun midweek news: the DrawTogether Strangers project (that the GUT has been part of since the jump!) got the most beautiful audio treatment by the New York Times - and it’s out TODAY - and was featured in the NYT’s Morning newsletter.

You can listen to the story and read the transcript by clicking here.

Last month, NYT audio producer Vishakha Darbha and NYT editor Joanna Pearlstein joined me as I set up the DrawTogether Strangers drawing table on the Highline in New York City. The following images are from Vishakha’s Instagram stories - it’s fun to see from her perspective. :)

As I called over strangers from around the world to sit across the table from one another and draw - which is to say, look closely and truly see each other - she recorded the experience and spoke with participants.

The next day, I sat down with Vishakaha in NYT’s audio studio. The result is a 6-minute story that thoughtfully captures DrawTogether Strangers’ purpose and impact. Listen to the story here.

If you want to host a DrawTogether Strangers table in your community, you can read more about the project and download the toolkit here. It’s free! If you set up a DT Strangers table in your community, please share pics and tag #DrawTogetherStrangers (and me WendyMac!) so everyone can see.

Mid-Week Fruit Feelings

And because Sunday’s GUT assignment is bearing such beautiful fruit, I figured I’d share a few Emotional Fruits here. Remember, feelings change, so if you want to draw new ones and share them in the chat, post them here.

Ronda T. This is my first time drawing in YEARS! Sooo much fun!

Linda B This was my Monday yesterday (most Mondays actually)...As a reading teacher, I see small groups of students throughout the day, some more challenging than others. And while I COMPLETELY EMBRACE each and every UNIQUE personality, Mondays have a tendency to make me want to hold my head in a pillow and scream...my students never see that frustration though. One even commented yesterday that she never sees me upset. My smile always stays on my face. That’s what kids need to see, your smile and your presence. I’ve learned from many many many years of teaching, to hold that calm cool persona during the day, even when it’s so hard you think you’ll lose your mind, which I believe I may have already...that’s why my cucumber’s smile is slightly wavering 😉

Hakan Gökbayrak 

cielo grumpy avocado

See you Sunday, my fine feeling friends!

Everything is better… xoxo,

w