We came together in the peaceful, grounding space at Sanctuary Cove to share poetry straight from the heart, and it was nothing short of powerful. There is something so special about witnessing voices unfold in this way, and this gathering was a reminder of just how much depth, insight, and emotion lives within our spellers.

A heartfelt thank you to Eric Van Meter for being such an incredible curator of this experience. From readings of well loved poets, to the deeply personal and moving poetry of our spellers, every moment felt intentional and meaningful.

To everyone who attended, supported, shared, and held space with us, thank you. This community continues to show up in the most beautiful ways.

What a special evening of connection and community. We shared laughter and warmth during our White Elephant sock and blanket exchange, then headed to Winterhaven to enjoy the holiday lights together. Nights like this remind us how meaningful it is to gather and celebrate alongside our Tucson Spellers families, spellers, and supporters.

Tucson Spellers had the joy of attending an inspiring event hosted by Teva Community at the University of Arizona Poetry Center, where Brian Laidlaw performed a stunning set of songs composed by nonspeaking autistic lyricists in collaboration with Unrestricted Interest. These pieces highlighted the depth, humor, creativity, and brilliance of spellers who communicate through letterboards and keyboards, celebrating the many ways nonspeaking minds create, express, and connect—including works written by Arizona spellers during Teva Community retreats in Prescott. 💛

The Tucson Spellers Halloween Party — Trivia Night Edition — was an enormous success. From a no-hands donut-eating contest to intense rounds of tic-tac-toe and Connect Four, and an amazing multi-round trivia game with prizes, the evening was packed with excitement, laughter, and unforgettable moments. We shared food, conversation, and meaningful connections, coming together to celebrate friendship, inclusion, and the joy of simply being together.

🌲✨ Poetry in the Pines ✨🌲 What an amazing event - hearing everyone’s beautiful, thoughtful, and creative poetry shared among the pines and fresh mountain air was truly incredible. The inclusive environment made this comfortable for all levels of spellers and writers. We then got to enjoy a hike around Rose Canyon Lake together, solidifying our sense of community with one another 💙

✨ What an incredible journey! ✨ Our Abstract Art Experience with the amazing Matthew Palmo and Indicator Art left us in awe of the creativity and beauty that poured out of this series. Matthew guided each artist to discover and express their unique vision, and we are so grateful to the professional artists who joined our final critique—their thoughtful insights and encouragement made our spellers and artists feel truly seen and celebrated. A huge thank you as well to the Autism Society of Southern Arizona for opening their welcoming space to us, making this event possible. And to our spellers and artists: you created masterpieces that reflect some of the most beautiful minds—we could not be more proud! 🎨