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...

Shopping line…

“I was grocery shopping one afternoon and made a bee line for the shortest line. The couple ahead of me had a full to overflowing carriage and a screaming, red-faced 2 year old, clearly in need of a nap, which her mother kept calmly repeating, each utterance met with another wail from the child. I […]

Random token found…

“Just found a random Free Pass in Central Square, Cambridge MA. Glanced briefly and almost walked by. . . then I realized it was just what I needed and so do many!” Cambridge, MA

For my Mom…

“My mom was out of town all weekend. A few hours before I knew she was due home tonight, I snuck into her house and set up this little Mother’s Day display. Two Free Passes! Dear Mom, you are totally off the hook for some unintentional childhood trauma, like my irrational fear of centipedes. Love […]

Free pass one to another….

“This guy walked by and accidentally knocked over someone’s chair. I handed him a token in real time so he would not feel embarrassed. We started talking about forgiveness and compassion. He would not share what he felt he needed the pass for. It was a deep issue. That was amazing.” Providence, RI