"Art Is" wins the Culture, Poetry & the Arts Award

Selected as one of the best books of 2025

I was honored and humbled to receive this recognition. Grateful for dear sojourners, many of whom are mentioned in the book, also receiving this note.

An artist’s journey is one often not recognized or valued. We labor on, believing that someone out there may appreciate what we have been asked to steward faithfully. We create, even though there is no guarantee of an audience. When it is recognized, then we can assume that it is a note given to all of us who work with our hands, to create beauty despite being told “no” many times, even though the darkness pushes against it.

May this season of Advent be one of discovery in waiting for all.

Blessings,

Mako