The Free Pass Project – A Social Practice of Spontaneous Compassion and Conversation

Creatively enacting spontaneous compassion and conversation.

(PLEASE NOTE: this website is now an archive of a ten year public art project that engaged and made the day better for over 4,000 people. My full art and project site is www.rachelcyreneblackman.com.)"FREE PASS": two words that can communicate simple compassion. Who needs the grace of a free pass now and again? Almost everyone. Think about your day, and even the last few hours. Has there been a moment where you've given yourself a hard time or been in a frustration? Have you interacted with a loved one or stranger who is stressed, is doing the best they can, feels disengaged from … Read More...

Read Our Stories...

Free pass conversation…

“What’s that Free Pass for?” I’m sitting at a bar, with an agenda in mind, and the recipient of my eventual inquiries beat me to the punch. Gone was the cascade of cool that was supposed to happen as the crunch of the first half of the football game faded, and suddenly I was up. […]

Shy people…

“I obtained a bunch of tokens and did random drops in the Washington DC area while on a trip. I am shy and random drops are the easiest way for me to distribute them. I enjoyed leaving them on subway platforms, on park benches, and in my hotel room for the next guest.” Emily B. 

Random find #958 in Oregon!

How and where did your free pass token land in your hands?  Found it just last night, in a pile of free stuff left by the sidewalk near the New Seasons-7 Corners grocery store in Portland, Oregon. Probably left behind by someone moving out. What is the story of your free pass? how was it […]

Closing time token #909?…

I gave a free pass token to a waitress last night because we got to the restaurant sort of near closing time. We were very, very hungry and tired. She was very kind and patient as other workers began their tasks of cleaning and such for closing time. She was wonderfully excited and enthusiastic to […]