We had the good fortune of connecting with Meagan Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Meagan, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I love this question! I have been so blessed to raise two beautiful children of my own which are grown and thriving, however, there are many others who call me mom as well. One of the most important things I believe I’ve done as it pertains to impacting my children is to stay true to my convictions and passions. Of course while in the midst of taking risks and sometimes feeling counter cultural, it seemed a mess and I wondered if I was doing more harm than good, but as I have been able to have many table talks with all of my kids, wether by birth or wether they voluntarily came into our family, they always seem to have the same language about me never giving up, always pushing the envelope to a better tomorrow, and of course having fun while on the journey! I look at my children and they are fearless when it comes to being authentic and shaping their own stories. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. As I get older, I feel like there is an unintentional narrative to chill out, get it together and not be so zealous. I can’t agree with that narrative though, true or not. To stop living with passion and conviction in your art, your community, your family, or anything else we get to be a part of seems like a slow death of the very thing that fuels beauty in it all. So, a part of me will never really grow up. The part that sees everything brimming with potential and wonder, and I think that is living on in my children as well.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is my music. Community is where I love to create though. Gathering people to music and the arts in a family environment is what I’m always most excited about! Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t love the grand stuff? There is something so raw and duplicatable that happens in community. Is it challenging? Oh my! Yes! Staying authentic to your craft yet offering it into something bigger than yourself is always very humbling to say the least. It has always been beautiful to me though. Lessons that I’ve learned over the years of creating music and mentoring creatives? One thing I have learned over the almost two decades I have been doing this is that it may seem easier to do whatever it is you are called to on your own, but to chase dreams with others and create family along the way is WAY more fulfilling in my opinion. We are not here alone. Even when we feel alone sometimes. As artists, that scenario seems to play out quite a bit in our story like a broken record. That’s probably why I feel so strongly and advocate so passionately for families and communities of artisans. As we brave the uncomfortable we write a new record to be played over and over for generations. That’s why I love our Gather People Initiative!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my bestie was coming in for a fun weekend, what would we do? So, I’m the busy bee friend so we would definitely jump on some public scooters or bikes and meander through the city hoping to get lost in some hip neighborhood that I’ve yet to hear of. I will always push the envelope even with my besties and take them to Spiral Diner. That’s my fav place to change people’s minds on alternative yummy cuisine. Most importantly though would be to end up at friends homes here in the DFW area. It’s one of the perks of having artists/ creatives as friends. They have such eclectic pads and the company is out of this world.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It has most definitely taken a village to get me to where I am in life today, lol! However, there is one person who doesn’t get near enough credit yet is the most impactful in my story. In our circles he is known as the mysterious Mr. Right, but truly is my number one supporter. My husband has pushed me when I’ve wanted to give up, he’s taken care of our kids as I have traveled around the world, and he puts up with all of my over the top shenanigans, ha! I could name so many amazing people, places and things, but it all starts right there with Mr. Right!
Website: wegatherpeople.org
Image Credits
Piper Ryley Photography