One River Zen of Ottawa, in coordination with the Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund, has selected a writer and an artist to host in residence for the next eight weeks.
Alexandria Braboy and David Arthur will explore the ways in which art, creativity, and community intersect with contemplative Zen practices.


Ali Braboy of La Salle is a writer with degrees in creative writing and journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has been involved in journalism and grant writing since 2013. She enjoys writing about the stories of others as well as her own experiences to bring transformative change to the world.
David Arthur, a native of Springfield, is a draftsman, painter, and professional tattoo artist with two decades of experience. He resides and works in the greater Peoria area.
His artistic pursuits encompass a diverse range of styles and subjects, with watercolor and alcohol markers being his preferred mediums. His primary focus lies in capturing the essence of beauty, nature, and spirituality.