ATTENTION brings together a diverse group of scholars and artists for a two hour public discussion at Firehouse 12 about attention: what it is, how to cultivate it, why it matters, and what gets in its way. Reserve your free seat, and join us for the discussion from 1 - 3 PM on Saturday, May 2, followed by a reception in the Bar at Firehouse 12 from 3 - 5 PM. 

This event is the second in a series of public discussions curated by Megan Craig and John Lysaker at Firehouse 12, following MAKING THINGS: A conversation about Creativity in 2025.

ATTENTION Participants: 

MEGAN CRAIG:

Megan Craig is an artist, essayist, and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Stony Brook University.

JOSE GARCIA-LEON:

Pianist José García-León is the Henry and Lucy Moses Dean of Music at the Yale School of Music. He previously held senior academic roles at The Juilliard School and the University of New Haven.

MARY HALVORSON:

Mary Halvorson is a Brooklyn-based guitarist, composer and recording artist for Nonesuch Records. Her distinctive sound and innovative approach to her instrument have earned her widespread recognition over the past two decades, including numerous best-of-the-year lists, a 2019 MacArthur Foundation fellowship and Guitarist of the Year honors in the DownBeat Critics Poll for the past nine years. When not leading her own award-winning bands, she can be heard in a wide variety of creative partnerships and on more than 75 releases as a co-leader or sidewoman.

JOHN LYSAKER:

John Lysaker is the Director of the Center for Ethics and William R. Kenan University Professor at Emory University. 

SABRINA MARQUES:

Sabrina Marques is an Associate Professor of Art and MFA critic at Western Connecticut State University who holds an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Art. Her painting and interdisciplinary work has earned her a Connecticut Artist Fellowship and a National Endowment for the Arts project grant. 

BRENDAN OZAWA-DE SILVA:

Brendan Ozawa-de Silva is Associate Professor at the Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics at Emory University and Global Professor at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. His work focuses on compassion, empathy, and their cultivation in various sectors, including education, healthcare, the arts, conflict settings and in carceral settings.

GENEVIVE WALKER:

Genevive Walker is the Executive Director of Common Ground High School, Urban Farm & Environmental Education Center in New Haven.