We believe that connection is humankind's deepest craving. Connection is the driving mission behind what we do at Wilde House, so when we heard that long time friend, Wilde Woman and owner of WKND, Alina Rudnieva was starting an intentional gathering space for human connection – we were inspired from first glance. KIN's Vol. 2 came together through 20 creative souls joining together on a friend's farm on the North Shore of Boston for an evening of locally sourced food, mindful details and intentional conversation. We sat down with the inspiring host behind this evening, Alina to share the story of connection that transpired during this dreamy Summer eve.
Tell us about how the idea of KIN came about and the true intention behind the gatherings you host.
Alina: The day WKND as a concept was born I knew that I wanted to create a space that celebrated others. It took us two years to finally get here but a few months ago my dream finally came to life and we announced KIN – an intentional gathering space for human connection. We are not tied to a physical space but come together to cultivate meaningful conversation and celebrate creativity. Creative people have so much output and are always working outward. I see KIN as an opportunity for creatives to receive and to rest, to be celebrated.
What was your vision and collaboration process to make the outdoor dinner party of Vol. 2 come to life?
Alina: After hosting our first dinner I knew that come Summer we ought to gather among the trees. It only felt natural – bare feet, community and good food – the way life should be lived. Each gathering is a collaborative effort of many hands and for this airy and earthy dinner we rounded up some of our favorite humans to bring this dream to life. A friend graciously welcomed us onto their property lending us rolling hills of green under the open sky. It was a dream come true. A local grower contributed florals, a bottle shop helped us select natural wines for the occasion, a chef cooked us a stellar seasonal meal and we served the artful dishes in a curation of vintage cookware that we had collected from over the years. Another friend made us cake to share. It was a true a symphony of connection.
Tell us about the community of people that attended and what their connection to each other were.
Alina: Each time we open up seats to creative souls in our community and the result always surprises me. There are always folks that I have never met, opening up an opportunity to make new friends, share yourself and learn something new. KIN gathers designers, entrepreneurs, artists and musicians. So much love and creativity is cultivated and shared.
What was one moment in the night that made you tear up or gave you goosebumps knowing that your intention for the evening was coming to life before your eyes?
Alina: The forecast on the day of Vol. 2 dinner had a prediction for severe rainfall and of course, it rained all day. When the rain finally stopped and the sun came out we hurried to get set up. With only 15 minutes until the start, guests started to arrive. I was still walking glassware down a huge hill, running 30 minutes behind. The tables were set up in the valley, which turned into a muddy swamp after all day of rain. After struggling for a bit in our dinner footwear we told everyone to just go barefoot, watching guests take off their shoes and roll up their trousers really made it set in - this is it.
“Community, shared life, the imperfectly perfect moments, the lack of finesse - in all its gritty arises human glory. This is what we are after: a deeper, more meaningful connectivity – muddy feet and all."
We loved the intentional touch of placing a Cultivating Conversations Card at each person’s place setting. How did this gesture connect the guests together?
Alina: The Cultivating Conversation Card Deck is the perfect gesture that made our evening so much more meaningful. We decided to place a card on each place setting giving an opportunity for guests to break the ice and prompt interaction, encouraging everyone to go beyond surface level.
“I remember pausing for a moment and seeing that every single person was engaged in conversation, picking up their cards, exchanging questions, taking time to ponder on these truths. I think ideally every meal should have a time for reflection, a way to look inward, to pay special attention to what’s going on within."
What is next for KIN?
Alina: Frankly, we didn't start with any goals in mind. I am grateful to have shared even one table with these beautiful souls and connected with so many. I try not to put expectations on what I do as so much of this is secondary to my family life. But if I dare to dream, and the timing is right, I would love for KIN to obtain a studio space where we can do even more for our community like host workshops, create opportunities to serve, collaborate and create. Years down the road - community retreats would be a dream.