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About the Artist

Oakland’s CWC Writer in Residence at Joaquin Miller Park, Kristen (Baumgardner) Caven educates, entertains, and inspires her audiences with an extraordinary array of books, presentations, performances, and events. The author of seven books, several plays, and an award winning cartoon collection, she applies positive psychology to her work strengthening communities through uplifting artistic expressions.

Here are her books. Here’s more about Kristen.

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September 5, 2014 (July 9, 2020) Kristen

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Calendar

Dancetera!

11:00am Tuesdays at the Veteran's Building

Walkin' With Joaquin: Reconsidering our OG Poet

November 13, 2024 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Oakland Public Library, 125 14th St, Oakland, CA 94612, USA

Oakland Public Library Fall Lecture Series
https://oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/66f1ef6b954b2bef9594e15d

See more details

Poet’s Parlor at Gatsby Summer Afternoon

September 8, 2025 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate, 2960 Peralta Oaks Ct, Oakland, CA 94605, USA

See more details

Subscribe to the Park Blog!

As Writer in Residence at Joaquin Miller Park, I head for the hills one day a week to walk, think, and write a blog. I'd love to get your comments!

California Writers Circle: A Community Kitchen
05-08-2024
California Writers Circle: Poets on Earth
04-20-2024
Big Trees Trail: Art Comes Alive!
03-04-2024
Lookout Point: A New Year
01-07-2024
California Writers Circle: A Circle of Voices
10-22-2023

SUBSCRIBE to get "Walkin' with Joaquin" as a weekly email!

My Books:

kristen.cavens.imagination

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Have you seen this poster on the ceiling of your d

Have you seen this poster on the ceiling of your doctor's office, dentist, or gyn? They were probably my care providers at one point! This drawing was my very first illustration, for a yoga class, when I was in high school. It's has many iterations, was published in several books (The Winning Family, the Whole Earth Catalog, Perfectly Revolting), Kmart paid me to re-draw it in their own way, and a cousin had it tattooed on his body. You can get it on notecards, poster, or T-shirts at littlepig.com, and it will most likely be my first NFT soon. I also plan to curate a comedy meditation album and put it on the cover. (Query me!!!)

This is my beloved electrologist on the day we said goodbye. Long story short: i need a new one! Recommendations?

#relax

Such a lovely baby shower! And what a cute, litera

Such a lovely baby shower! And what a cute, literary theme!

Now what kind of sick person would go and do THAT...?!?

#charlottesweb
#somepig
#sayitwithbacon

Music, glamour and artistic wonders! A night out w

Music, glamour and artistic wonders! A night out with mom to see Andre Rieu and the Comedian Harmonists ~ just after another night out at the Art Deco Preservation Ball!

#somanysequins
#artdecoarchitecture
#artdecofashion
#historicpreservation
#mominamink
#vaccinatedcrowds
#dancingonthestairs
#diegorivera
#georgestackpole
#beadwork on
#metalmesh

It's been a year since the announcement to close @

It's been a year since the announcement to close @millscollege. They asked for community input, made promises, then decided to give everything away. Students, staff, faculty are dancing as fast as they can, being crushed under the terribly managed @northeastern steamroller and the devastation of broken promises. Dancing to #savemills today.

I've been helping behind the scenes to get the @aa

I've been helping behind the scenes to get the @aamillscollege to wake up and realize there is serious fraud at stake with the effort to #killmills. Off today to support students who will @occupy_millshall at @millscollege. Let's activate that @millscollegemagic and @_savemills!

Reposting from a student, please read & share with alumnae & community:

CALL TO ACTION!!!! SUPPORT NEEDED!

MILLS STUDENTS ARE ORGANIZING A SIT-IN TODAY (TUESDAY MARCH 8th, 2022).

In the spirit of the protests in 1990. We are occupying Mills Hall, more specifically the hallway right outside Beth Hillman’s office. We are taking up space starting at 8:30am. We want to be seen and have our demands heard. (Demands are in document via QR code) There is solidarity in numbers. We are asking those who can PLEASE JOIN US IN SOLIDARITY. THERE IS POWER IN NUMBERS. Stay for as long as you can and come back when you can. We encouraged those joining us to bring signs, posters, snacks, water, books, music, art supplies, whatever needed to keep you busy. We’d like this to not only be a sit in but a community building event. Please wear a mask indoors.

If anyone has any news or newspaper connects please inform them. We're trying to garner as much attention as possible to apply pressure.

This international women's month I would like to m

This international women's month I would like to make a case for the generic female. I think it's time

#allgenders
#allchildren
#peoplewithnipples

Clever husby made Chicken Kiev last night. It was

Clever husby made Chicken Kiev last night. It was the least we could do...but pretty delicious!

https://novaukraine.org/

The memes are rolling out on @all4millsnow @_savem

The memes are rolling out on @all4millsnow @_savemills, pick the one that matters for you and share! Let's roll out the truth: this "merger" is an acquisition, and an aggressive corporate takeover. They've been #lying about finances, controlling #freespeech on campus, dividing the community to conquer, and making the public believe "it's a done deal." It's NOT and we need to stop it to save

#LiberalArts
#WomensEducation
#womensrights
#queerrights
#workingclass
#momsbacktocollege
#institutionalintegrity

Please visit https://www.millsrebelalliance.net, https://savemillscollege.org, https://www.all4mills.com
write letters, support students, join a the protest.

My #darkgardencore is #playful #original -- love y

My #darkgardencore is #playful #original -- love ya goddeses & goddess-makers @darkgardencorsetry
@darkgarden_nola

#leashyourimagination #fudog #whoseagoodboy
#customcorsetry #naturegirl
#naturalbeauty #dangerousbeauty
#dangerousgarden
#yesitsfakebarbedwire
#gardeningaccidents
#iminbloom #accessorize #utilitybelt #authorcrush

Red dress photo by @pixfromhome
Aster Bloomgardens & Hortensia Thripwhistle @princessamanita
custom corsets #treasures by @darkgardencorsetry

Here's the last batch of #MadAboutMills memes. The

Here's the last batch of #MadAboutMills memes. There will be no more English degrees. Art degrees. Dance degrees. There will be no more Mills.

I'd rather the college closed (for a reboot) than to see it go away like this.

Thanks for your empathy, outrage, and action. Please speak up and share as you see what happens next.

#corporatetakeover #blacklivesmatter #stoptheabuse #stopthegaslighting #stopthelies #stopthemerger #stoptheactualsteal #sadderandsadder #sovereignmills #liberalarts #mills #mills2021 #millsstudents #liberalartscolleges #savetheliberalarts #savemills

Ha ha. #waiting #waitingforchange #waitingfora

Ha ha.

#waiting
#waitingforchange
#waitingforamiracle
#waitingforjustice
#waitingforaninvitation
#goodthingscometothosethatwait

The more you learn, the worse it gets. Even the fi

The more you learn, the worse it gets. Even the first wave of Northeastern students can see it's a bad match between this sprawling, gentrifying university that grows irresponsibly and the quiet Mills campus that has always really STOOD for something.

If you're connected to Mills in any way shape or form, please get informed, and please share these memes!

#stopthemerger #badforoakland #savemills #all4mills #notonourland #speaktruthtopower #firstgen #resumers #millsmoms #womenscollege #historicwomenscollege #genderinclusive #safespaces #queercommunity #rapey #fratboys #genderstudies #genderstudiesmajor #lgbtqiasafespace

I know you want to know what went into that "Shivv

I know you want to know what went into that "Shivvering Jimmy!"

Step One: Sprinkle too much Gelatin* over juice. (I used Power Juice & Carrot/Tumeric juice.) Walk away. (It gets gross.) Go boil some water.

Step Two: Add some heat and mix it all up.

Step Three: Pour into an oiled mold. Add some fruit n' stuff. Walk away.

Step Four: Make some zines.

Step Five: Good luck unmolding! (Watch Story for video...)

Serve with whipped cream and a smile.

Let the rest of the story unfold!

*Note: actual Jell-O is more iconic but people prefer actual food these days. This is a nutritious treat!

Batch two of my "Mad About Mills" protest memes. T

Batch two of my "Mad About Mills" protest memes. This has just got to stop.

Please re-post and share with public officials at all levels. The lawsuit has been dropped and they are now free to speak up. The AG (Attorney General) office can and must stop this deal (CA & MA). It's terrible for Mills and awful for Oakland!

Details on all of these facts are on sites at www.MillsRebelAlliance.net

(DM me if your group wants to join!)

#stopthemerger #hostiletakeover #theboardgaveup #sellout #wedontneedaman #youhadonejob #keepmillshealthy #savemills #financialtransparency #womenscollege #liberalarts
#corporatetakeover #shockdoctrine #steamroller #dontmesswithmills #forgenerationsstill #womensedcuation #womensrights #patriarchy #distruption #corporatetakeover #smokescreen #incompetence #shockdoctrine #steamroller #dontmesswithmills #forgenerationsstill #womensedcuation #womensrights #patriarchy #distruption #safespacesforqueerstudents #safespacesforbipocstudents #safespacesforfemalestudents

#savemills #financialtransparency #stopthemerger #historicwomenscollege #hwc #lieslieslies

100 years ago, Mills College was featured in an ad

100 years ago, Mills College was featured in an ad for Jell-O. I whipped up a few (healthy) molds and took them to campus with the intent of listening to students about the college's acquisition.

Every student we spoke to, (especially the six students from the predatory Northeastern University who have only been in town for a week) was affected by the merger. The administration has not only been controlling the narrative but controlling student speech on campus and gaslighting alumnae. Don't believe everything you read about it.

I'm holding out hope that we can still #savemills.

#fomenting
#freespeech
#dissent
#dontmesswithmills
#womenseducation
#hwc
#jellocreations
#providingdainties
#millsrevolution
#jellogourmet
#theresalwaysroomforjello

The Mills College community is starting to wake up

The Mills College community is starting to wake up to the violence that's being done to students past and future by this ill-conceived merger. Pick your team - @aamillscollege (alumnae), @all4millsnow (students, alums, lbgtq, bipoc), or @_savemills (everyone), and join the Mills Rebel Alliance! Spread the word, get informed, get involved!

This week I walked with naturalists. Last week it

This week I walked with naturalists. Last week it was all about the mushrooms. Catch up with "Walkin' with Joaquin!" (as heard on KCBS Radio! Link in bio.

#citypark #wilderness #sharedspace #caredspaces #forbs #oakseedlings #historyandfuture

A year ago this week, this blue meatloaf, this smo

A year ago this week, this blue meatloaf, this smoky silver puffball, this thundering tribble came to stay the weekend for an emergency. Four months later, he emerged from the back room kitty ICU and decided to enjoy his ninth life as a Caven.

He is now our stomach masseuse, fashion accessory, hat model, and straight guy. He monitors my screen time, meows in paragraphs and sings kitty operas when I make food. He perches on my ribcage, presses his little heart to mine, and shows me, quite literally, how to Be The Mountain. And his crash positions are beyond adorable.

I now realize that he chose us a long time ago, watching over us from the yard. This was all meant to be and my longing guided him in. It's true what they say that the best things take time.

#meatmotor #yardcat #furbaby #nebelung #healingjourney #secondkittenhood #sexysnail #crashposition #littleheartbiglove

Sorting through my sketchbook collection, I redisc

Sorting through my sketchbook collection, I rediscovered my obsession with horses. (Just in time for #photodump!) Now why do you suppose I drew them all facing left?

#horses #obsession #drawing #whatsmystyle #fetlockfetish #ponypassion

The effectiveness teachers call it "sharpening the

The effectiveness teachers call it "sharpening the saw" but for me it's "sharpening the pencils."

As a writer, I indulge myself in having a jar in every room so that I always have something to write with when the mood strikes. Lately I've had a hard time finding a pencil that's sharp, a pen that doesn't leak, etc. So today I gave myself a treat and spent 40 minutes sorting my writing utensils into categories.

If this were a pie chart, you could see that I have about 53% pens. I very rarely buy pens, but I often say yes to them when they're giving away. It's fun to read them and throw away the boring ones and keep the fun ones. ("Shut up and Write." "The f**** I don't give." "The Ritz-Carlton.")

There's a whole category of pens with scenes inside of them that change when you tip them. (If you would like me to send you one, DM me! They are too cute to use.)

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