Book Description

To most, the word doll conjures up an image of a toy meant to be played with by little girls. But, as author and teacher Cassandra Light explains, while dolls do symbolize a sense of play, they are not necessarily toys, nor are they always meant for children. As objects of our creative imagination, dolls can bring us back to our childhood if we let them and "perhaps bestow upon us a future we hadn't imagined". It was upon this premise that she founded her successful Way of the Doll, School of Sacred Art in Berkeley, California, over fifteen years ago. Each year over seventy-five students, ranging in ages from six to eighty-five, meet weekly to create a life-sized doll of their own from porcelain and found materials. Few of the men and women have any artistic experience, and their backgrounds vary greatly. They unite for one common purpose: to discover and share their own personal story, whether it is one of joy or pain. The results, which are exhibited each year, are astounding. In this elegant and inspiring volume, Cassandra Light chronicles the history of her remarkable school, revealing the stories of many students, as well as her own. Her warm, honest voice is accompanied by nearly 100 spectacular, color photographs showcasing the best of these incredible dolls. Complete with essays by Stephen Mitchell and Jean Shinoda Bolen and the words of the students themselves, Way of the Doll is a testament to courage, hope, and the power of the human spirit.