Creative Couples: Judith Jenya & Mark Johaningsmeir, United Creative Unicorns

By Robin Loving

What happens when unicorns unite? A creative coupling! Unicorn Judith Jenya was exhibiting her visual art in Guanajuato in 2010 when - during the last hour of the show - Unicorn Mark Johaningsmeir showed up. Thus began their origin story. They swapped stories, then emails, then went to the Cervantino Festival concerts – again and again and again. The final concert of the season was sold out, and then abruptly changed venues. The two volleyed between venues in the confused crowds and, because Mark had white hair, Judith spotted him. Into their arms they fled.

He liked her smile, her wild and crazy persona, her beauty, but found her tale incredible (as so many of us do – what a creative life she has led and is leading!). A unicorn. But she had authentic vibes! So, he found her “Amazing!” He felt a real and wonderful love. Meanwhile, she found him handsome, and – as a Minnesota minister – another unicorn… Refreshing! Appealing! He came a’courtin’. She was delighted that he took the initiative. On that fateful weekend when there were no rooms at the inn for the final Cervantino concert, they ended up at Mark’s place. And, they decided to go to Guatemala, where they got engaged in Antigua! A couple of unicorns in a place unfamiliar to either of them.

Judith has always produced art in many forms. In addition to her degrees in political theory and law, she went to the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and then earned a master’s degree in teaching fine arts from Harvard. Judith taught high school art before becoming an art therapist, a psychotherapist, an attorney and a humanitarian. Invited to lead a youth camp outside of Moscow for children from Chernobyl, she began international adventures that led her to create the nonprofit Global Children’s Organization. At first, this was to facilitate adoptions of Russian orphans. It later began helping children in the midst of war.

Judith then organized and directed summer camps for children from Bosnia and Croatia on an island near the latter for 10 years. That camp used arts and loving attention to give children from all sides an opportunity to be children, reconcile and find hope for the future. She also facilitated camps for children from the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, and from gang-ridden areas in Los Angeles. In addition, Judith worked with Maoris in New Zealand and for the current Queen of Jordan as an advisor.

After being named a Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C., she was honored as the International Humanist of the Year 2002 in Sarajevo, and was nominated for the Nobel peace prize that year.

Since moving to San Miguel in 2006, Judith has continued her artistic and volunteer activities, co-authoring a bilingual book of poetry, Aromas de Dos Pueblos, and writing her memoir, Memories do not Burn.

She has several forthcoming opportunities to share her creativity with the public, including:

• December – Art Exhibit at Don Lupe Grill

• January 8 – Reading at the Prose and Poetry Café

• February – Reading at the Jewish Writers of San Miguel at the Jewish Community and Cultural Center

• February 12, 3:30 p.m. – Reading and book sales at SanMiguel Writers Conference at Hotel Real de Minas

• Ongoing Thursdays through Sundays from 12 – 5 p.m.– Art Exhibit at Edina Sagert Gallery at Fábrica La Aurora

• Ongoing Mo – Fri 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. and Sat 10:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. – Book sales at the Biblioteca Pública at Insurgentes near Relox

• Ongoing – Book sales via Judith

• Ongoing – Judith created this column and usually pens it!

Judith says her husband, Mark, is, “the wind beneath my sails!”

Mark creates through writing. When writing sermons, he weaves his theme with tradition and inspiration from poetry, film and novels. As a result, a parishioner once commented that Mark is a credible poet, a moniker he considers high praise, for he does not begin with an outline. Mark writes intuitively. He shares his poetry with a group here each Sunday and with the Poetry Salon on occasion.

Judith and Mark collaborate on the artistry of their home and on occasional services at the Unitarian Universal Fellowship here. They believe that creating on an ongoing basis is what matters most. “We hope to be creating until our last breaths,” said this creative couple of united unicorns.

For more information, see www.judithjenya.com andJudith Jenya Artist on Faceboo.

Contact Judith at casaaloha@gmail.com 52 415 119 4746

Contact Mark at markjohanig@gmail.com 52 415 119 4759