Where the Mind is Without Fear

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high:
Where the knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-winding thought and action-
Into that heaven of freedom, [may children and teachers awake].

                           - R. Tagore

Hearts and Minds Without Fear International: Aran Islands, Galway, Ireland


Inis Mor Children at Play (2018)

The following documentaries represent the cutting-edge vision and exploration of the Hearts and Minds Without Fear paradigm in Ireland by Drs. Clark and French. Your community, school, and organization can refresh, renew, and transform via arts-based and aesthetic methods while experiencing the Aran Island compassionate communities that celebrate the Irish child’s imagination (see New Book page, Echoes from a Child’s Soul, Clark, 2020).

Journey to the Aran Islands & Croagh Patrick Summit: A Prayer for the Children of Aran


Rainbow Illuminates Clew Bay, County Mayo, Ireland (2019)

Drs. Barbara Clark and James French documentary film depicts their journey to the summit of Croagh Patrick’s (St. Patrick’s) holy mountain in County Mayo, Ireland in 2017. Their journey was a pilgrimage to pray for the children of our world, and to celebrate the Aran Island people, as they continue to sustain their compassionate way of life on remote islands off the coast of Galway Bay. This documentary film captures the vast beauty of God’s creation on St. Patrick’s mountain with views of endless rainbows over Clew Bay. Supported by the writing of John O’Donohue, we are reminded of God’s many gifts given to us to explore our talents and possibilities in our life (see New Book Tab, Echoes from a Child’s Soul, Clark, 2020).

Following the film, Drs. Clark & French will lead the participants in an interactive discussion and reflective exercises that promote stories, poetry, expressions of one’s lived life and the many mountains we face. There is a new awareness of one another that ultimately increases our own self-respect and desire to share and celebrate our unique imaginative visions. We are drawn together with ourselves and with others and our life and work with one another has renewed meaning and purpose.

Echoes From a Child's Soul: Children of Aran


Aran Island Children Mask Making (2018)

This international and inspirational documentary presents the story of how Drs. Clark and French created an 8’X20’ map mural while traveling to all three Aran Islands, located off the west coast of Ireland, in 2016. This cutting-edge journey depicted in the documentary was the bridge into a thriving, compassionate community culture in order to capture and celebrate the Irish children, parents, and community members love of their island life. Your school team, community, church or business organization will see and learn how a unique arts-based vision via the Hearts and Minds Without Fear paradigm came to life and enriched all. Each day we awaken to learn from others. Drs. Clark and French will present how learning to cherish and love our daily work and dreams with colleagues may be envisioned thus coming full circle with transformative results uniting your school and community.

Hearts and Minds Without Fear: Honor the Children


Inis Mor Children and Masks: Honor the Children (2019)

The Honor the Children documentary celebrates the Irish child’s imaginative possibilities when engaging in the Hearts and Minds Without Fear paradigm that celebrates kindness, innovation, voice, and action. Drs. Clark and French created a studio within the communities Halla Rónáin (community hall) for three days culminating to a community presentation for parents with dance, story, music and poetry. Original song lyrics for Honor the Children by Patricia Clark Smith and music composition by Thomas French. Your school and community will experience the transformative and imaginative possibilities when unmasking and sharing individual stories and visions for the greater good of all.

Publications: Ireland in Action

Clark, B.A. & French, J.J. (2020). Epilogue: Moral imagination in an island culture: The Aran island child. In Clark Echoes from a child’s soul: Awakening the moral imagination of children. Series: Imagination and Praxis: Criticality and Creativity in Education and Educational Research. Brill/Sense Publishers.

Clark, B.A. & French, J.J. (2019). Honor the Children: Halla Rónáin Inis Mòr Community Event. A Hearts & Minds Without Fear Arts in Education Production: Filmed by Joss French & Edited by Joss French and Barbara Clark. Filmed on location: Inis Mòr, Mayo, Ireland.

Clark, B.A. & French, J.J. (2019). A Prayer for the Children of Aran: A Journey to the Summit of St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain. A Hearts & Minds Without Fear Arts in Education Production: Filmed, Narrated & Edited by Joss French & Barbara Clark. Filmed on location: Crough Patrick, Mayo, Ireland.

Clark, B.A. & French, J.J. (2019). The Epic Battle of Honey & Rat on Inis Mòr. A Hearts & Minds Without Fear Arts in Education Production: Performed, Filmed, Narrated & Edited by Joss French & Barbara Clark. Halla Rónáin, Inis Mòr, Aran Islands, Galway, Ireland. Filmed on location: USA & Aran Islands.

Clark, B.A. & French, J.J. (2018). Children of Aran. A Hearts & Minds Without Fear Arts in Education Production: Filmed, Directed, Narrated & Edited by Joss French & Barbara Clark. Filmed on location: Aran Islands: Inisheer - Inis Meain - Inis Mòr, Galway, Ireland.