Meet Beth Bando | Author, Eco-Artist & Wisdom Walker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Bando and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, what inspires you?
The Earth. Every day. Some blossom or breeze or gentle rain or glistening snow will offer a greeting and some words of wisdom. Learning to listen to the wisdom messages is my pleasure and my honor. It also serves as the cornerstone of much of my work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It all started for me with theatre and the study of acting. With the study of acting comes learning about breath. Breath basically means spirit. Add to the mix that performance lends itself to absolute moments of something magical, something transformative, something even mystical, perhaps. I understand why we call it the Creative Spirit. So, this merging of acting and performance and breath actually opened the doorway to my spiritual growth.
Now, for the turning points. I did experience what I call an artistic crisis. I was living in NYC and had completed a two-year acting program at Circle in the Square. The “I’ll do any show anywhere” exuberance of my 20’s was fading. I then went through a period of time where every show I saw was either violent or misogynistic. If breath is my spirit, and breath literally creates voice, did I want to give my voice to telling these same old stories that we had been telling for eons of time? And the answer was no. Enough already. Something in me felt that it was time for a new story, which is a guiding light for me now.
So, what was this theatre girl, who couldn’t find her place in theatre, to do? I knew I wanted to use my voice to create material that uplifts the heart and spirit. What, I wondered, was the material?
I put up a big prayer for help to the universe and any and all sources of guidance. Within a week, came an invitation to attend a Council of Women hosted by Grandmother Twylah Nitsch in upstate New York. I said yes.
Of course, the weekend was life changing. I felt the extraordinary power of a group of women sitting in circle together devoted to listening to each other. I experienced being guided by Elders, who held Sacred Space for us, shared their stories and wisdom, and through watching them, I learned the role of being an elder to your community.
It’s been over 30 years since I studied with Gram and was given permission to share her teachings of earth connection. I have created hundreds of seminars for personal, artistic and spiritual growth, using her teachings as a foundation. I have become an eco-artist creating art, from theatre, to my one woman show, to digital creations to the written word.
Passages may not be easy. But, holy moly, are they purposeful and powerful!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In Dallas, I would start with the Kalita Humphries theatre to share the extraordinary influence of Paul Baker (I studied with him at Trinity University) and to see the only theatre designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
From there a museum of their choice and a bit of time at the Bath House Cultural Center and White Rock Lake.
In Arlington, a game, a day. or a tour of the stadiums and amusement parks, and of course, my childhood home.
In Ft. Worth, a visit to the Botanical Gardens, a stroll through downtown, a show at Stage West Theatre and dinner at Café Bella, my favorite Italian restaurant.

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?
I love this question! First, I would like to give gratitude to my teacher & elder, Grandmother Twylah Nitsch. She was a visionary and one of the first native elders to start teaching non-native people from all over the world. She knew we would need to be firmly rooted in the earth, and filled with earth connected teachings, to move through current shifts in consciousness and thrive in the changing times.
Second is my mom. She created a childhood environment for me with the freedom to play. I played a lot as a kid. We played outside, we played with dolls, we played dress up. My family loved words and all of us found various outlets for our writing skills. My first artform was theatre. It organically led to eco-art and becoming an author.
My next shout out is to my husband and partner, Jack. When we met, he saw my wellspring of creativity and wanted to support it and see it flourish. He is an amazing source of support! We have created an environment together which allows our mutual creative, personal and spiritual growth.

Website: https://Bethbando.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethbando/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbando.art

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bethbandoearthartheart3507