55: Maddy Ahlborn: High Tide Raises All Boats; Advocating for Outdoor Spaces; Running to Feel

Maddy Ahlborn (she/her) is a painter, a poet, playwright, photographer and performer. She uses surrounding context as a catalyst for projects and allows the idea to dictate the medium in her artistic practice. She attended TUFTS University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA where she earned her BFA. She earned her MA from Adams State University, where she was promptly offered a teaching position after graduation. In her time in the SLV thus far, Maddy has worked as a motel housekeeper, the Teen Director at the local Boys and Girls Club, an Adjunct Instructor in the arts at Adams State University, a journalist for local news and media outlet Alamosa Citizen, which lead her to apply to San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) where she currently works full time as the non-profits grant writer. Maddy also just began her own business called "The Church Project," which is a community art center located in the 100-year-old church in Monte Vista. She has written 2 books (unpublished) titled "Notes on Home" (unfinished) and her more recent writings, "Notes on Dirt Roads" a project which began almost 3 years ago when she began to run on various dirt roads around the SLV to cope with an unexplainable experience. She has been running ever since. Maddy shows up as a strong voice, an advocate, an empowerer and an action-taker. Her root values of art, outdoors and community make her a powerful force for good and positive change.  
 
Maddy talks about writing to overcome insecurity and uses her writing as advocacy. SLV GO coalition is a replicable meeting hub of idea-generating, making dreams happen, and working to elevate marginalized voices: “High tide raises all boats.” Maddy answers her own question: How do you want to change the world?...Through language. Maddy runs to think and to feel and to get lost and she incorporates her writing and photography into her running. As she explores playwriting, she holds on to something she learned: theater is for change and theater is for empathy. Words of wisdom from a friend: Progress happens at the speed of trust. She remembers this as she embarks on the new journey of owning the Church Project, a community-based art center open to all. She speaks about the importance of community voice in driving initiatives forward. Word of mouth spreads like wildfire, so spread the word about SLV GO and all that they do for the community and the greater good. Maddy wants people to lean into their own talents and explore how they are a creative person. Maddy mic drops with the statement: “vague questions prompt creative answers”. She is learning how to accept herself for where she is now, “all of life is a transition”.

Maddy lives on Pueblos, Diné Bikéyah and Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ land.

Book recommendations:
Walk by Jonathon Stallz https://www.instagram.com/jstallz/
Outside Lies Magic by John Stilgoe

San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) IG: @slvgo; Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8LVlJtuXtlVZdcQWpk1tfw ; website: slvgo.com The Church Project IG: @montechurchproject ; website: https://infochurchproject.wixsite.com/my-site
Maddy's personal website: https://maddyahlborn.wixsite.com/fineart
Check out Maddy at maddyahlborn@slvgo.com and on IG @madeleine.r.ahlborn @slvgo 
Check out vali3theater.