The Zone of Authenticity (2026)

A love letter to our inner children.

‘23 ArtPrize installation winner 🏆

Whitney Dawn Pyles/Camille Newsom

Now, a deck of Authentic Connection Cards

whitneydawn.com/zoa "The Zone of Authenticity" is an interactive, immersive art installation by Whitney Dawn Pyles. It was originally created in 2023 for international art competition, ArtPrize, held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In the 3+ weeks it w

as on display in front of Bigbee Coffee in downtown Grand Rapids, hundreds, likely thousands of people engaged with it. Dance parties were hosted, lunch breaks were joyfully disrupted, and people of all ages and backgrounds came together. My hope is that the magic and medicine continues within and in service to any community that it finds its way to. "The Zone of Authenticity" is a celebration of humanity, tenderness, wildness, and truth. It is a love letter to our inner children. It is a rebellion against shame and performance. It is a wish for connectedness, togetherness, and mutual care and an invitation to let ourselves be seen and held. It is a space for honest expression, joyful weirdness, and radical self-acceptance. The job here is enjoyment. The invitation is to presence, empathy, and inner truth.

Come in and bloom awhile because we all deserve spaces to be who we are.

04/06/2026

Last call y’all! The interest form for our July Exhibition at The DAAC in the is open through tomorrow — Friday, June 5th ✨

This is not a final submission — so if you have any interest in being involved, even if the idea isn’t fully formed yet — take 5 and fill out the form before the window closes!

Form linked at whitneydawn.com/zoa to learn more and express interest.

We would love to see visual art, performance art (music! dance! theater! drag! comedy!) written works, photography, crafts, jewelry, collage… the list goes on and on! We are also open to folks who would like to facilitate micro-experiences or vend.

What will weave this beautiful tapestry of experiences and works together is our ‘Authentic Connection Cards’. Artists will select a card as creative inspiration to submit a new or existing work(s).

Fill out the form or feel free to DM us with any questions! If you’re reading this past the deadline and are very interested in participating, feel free to DM us 💛

Install: July 6
Reception & Performances: July 23
Uninstall: July 27

25/03/2026

Hello folks!
Who here played in/engaged with the original The Zone of Authenticity installation?

I am gathering stories about people's experiences. Let me know if you'd be interested in sharing yours anonymously or otherwise!

(Also very open to hearing from folks whose experiences have been with workshops I've hosted or with Camille's and my Authentic Connection deck!)

02/12/2025

The order is placed, but there is still time!

We ordered some extra decks for those of you who haven’t ordered yours yet.

Each card has a unique affirmation/nourishing statements + a Core Question and Go Deeper Question.

Meant to be played solo or in groups or 2+ 💛🎉✨ While the cards are mostly written at a level accessible to adolescents and adults, there are handful of questions that kiddos can definitely participate in too!

Additionally, these could be a great resource for any of my friends who are coaches, helping professionals, teachers, space holders, readers, or anyone who has a restaurant or coffee shop that wants a great addition to the vibe.

Would love for you to experience this creation that’s been in progress for a couple of years.

More recently, in collaboration with Camille Newsom who has created beautiful artwork and done some lovely design with the deck.

Order at whitneydawn.com/zoa

My small contribution to a world badly in need of real connection to one another and our own humanity 💛

25/11/2025

Big news today 🥹 There is one small part of the wider Zone of Authenticity that has been on my heart for awhile. A set of Authentic Connection Cards that I have been sharing as part of the installation for the past two years. Originally created for Art Prize

Over the last couple months, I have been editing, reimagining, and adding questions and crafting affirmations for each individual card.

I’ve been collaborating with artist/designer, Camille Newsom, and she’s created five unique collages and icons to represent the five categories the cards are divided into. They are beautiful and so reflective of the original intentions of this installation!

Well, these cards are now available for pre-order 🎉💛✨ Meaning, you can order them as gifts, to have at home, to share at work, to bring to community or workshops or anywhere else you feel authentic connection might be necessary.

They can be played with alone as reflection and exploration cards or they can be played with others as a way to connect, bloom, and be human together in a world that increasingly asks us to be disconnected.

As always, my intent is to create a rich, true, warm space where we can be embodied and authentic.

I hope you’ll play.

Head to whitneydawn.com/zoa to pre-order. Delivery or pick up in GR or Columbus by mid to late December.

Use the code PRESENCE through Monday for a discount. 💛

- Whitney

Address

FL

Telephone

+13059725278

Website

https://www.whitneydawn.com/zoa

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