Drawing the largest program attendance of the 2009-2010 year, CWF members and guests learned about how perceptions of art and beauty have helped all of us create 'ideals' of beauty: how we should behave, what communities should look like, and how we communicate with those with whom we are most familiar.  Michele shared examples of how she bridged communication gaps in her work with women executives and indigenous women in Canada.  Using the native women's tool, a 'talking stick', the group learned more about how to communicate with diverse audiences.

Another example highlighted the Mayor of Bogota Columbia who used theater art and mimes to dramatically reduce violent crime.  His first step was to run for office at a time when few dared run.  Next, he brought attention to himself - in an unusual fashion - by donning what looked like a Superman Suit.  Once elected, he vowed to clean up the city.  Using a set of unconventional methods and creative tools, he  changed the way citizens reacted to the violence and corruption in their communities.  Instead of running in fear, or retaliating with more violent actions, people became citizen-activists, took pride (and thus  more positive action) and ultimately took back their communities from gangs and fraudulent government agencies.  For example, he used troops of mimes who stood in the street with signs praising people for good actions.  Another included passing out thumbs-up and thumbs-down signs among crowds so that anyone could pass a "job well done" message to another passerby.   This unusual approach significantly reduced homicides and increased tax revenues by over $500M in a few short years. 

An additional example that Michele shared was from Tirana, where Mayor Edi Rama (an artist, not a politician) won the election.  Faced with the challenge of how to rebuild a city, with no political knowledge or experience, he used paint and color on buildings to turn a dying city into a region that is now vibrant and on a growth trajectory.   Tirana is now known as a city of lights, color, energy and economic success.