Artist Statement
This photograph captures a moment of collective connection as members of a community gather in a circle holding hands. The circle represents unity, reflection, and mutual support. Through shared cultural expression and participation, community becomes more than a place. It becomes a lived experience of belonging, identity, and care for one another.
Recommended Citation
Aldridge, Nardia
(2026)
"Circle of Community,"
be Still: Vol. 11, Article 8.
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/vol11/iss1/8
ORCID ID
0000-0003-4557-9071
ResearcherID
B-2226-2017
About the Artist
Dr. Nardia Aldridge is an occupational therapist, educator, and researcher who is deeply committed to community engagement, cultural identity, and the power of meaningful participation to promote health and well being. She serves as an Associate Professor in the Occupational Therapy Program at Nova Southeastern University. Her work often explores how culture, relationships, and shared experiences shape belonging and resilience across the lifespan, particularly within Caribbean and diaspora communities. Through both scholarship and creative expression, Dr. Aldridge seeks to highlight the ways community, connection, and cultural traditions support healing, identity, and collective care.