On Thursday, September 24, COCO-MAT SoHo welcomes My Name, My Nature, an immersive evening of poetry, reflection and communal art hosted by interdisciplinary artist Toni Short.
Bringing together women of all ages, the evening invites guests to slow down, connect with their individual voices and explore personal expression through grounding meditation, free writing, poetry and an open mic.
Set within the natural surroundings of the COCO-MAT SoHo store, the gathering moves from listening to creating, celebrating both individual stories and the connections that emerge when they are shared.
The Evening
The event begins with time to arrive, meet and connect over art and light snacks and live music. The program opens with Breathe; a live performance. Guests will then be guided through a grounding meditation before moving into poetry writing, readings and an open mic.
The evening concludes with a collaborative Story Loom activation, transforming individual thoughts and reflections into a collective artwork.
- 4:00-5:00 PM
Arrival, mingling, light snacks, art & performance: Mijori, Breathe - 5:00-6:00 PM
Meditation, readings: Linnea Rachlin, poetry & open mic - 6:00-7:00 PM
Story Loom activation using COCO-MAT fabrics and sheets
A Living Community Archive
At the heart of the evening is the Story Loom, a communal tapestry created from waste COCO-MAT fabrics and old sheets.
Guests will be invited to add personal messages, reflections and “threads of presence”, weaving individual stories together into one larger conversation.
An exhibition of curated works by Toni Short and the completed communal tapestry sculpture will remain on view at COCO-MAT SoHo through Halloween, becoming a living archive of the community that helped create it.
Meet the Artists
Toni Short
Creative curator, interdisciplinary artist and intuitive guide Toni Short creates spaces that encourage artistic expression, play and personal discovery.
Drawing on more than 25 years as a global explorer, creative professional and event producer, her work focuses on helping people reconnect with their creativity and find new ways of expressing their stories. Her award-winning film Meeting Mr. Oscar explores transformation and the possibility of redefining your path at any stage of life. @toni_short
Mijori
Vocalist Mijori works at the intersection of music, identity, community and mental health. Part activist and part storyteller, her creative practice uses sound and shared experience to bring often-unspoken stories into the open and create space for connection.
Mijori will perform her original song, Breathe… When your thoughts make it hard to keep your head above water, this is for you. @iammijori
Linnea Rachlin
Los Angeles-born poet, author and creative director Linnea Rachlin explores healing, spirituality, relationships, self-worth and the complexities of being human.
Her debut poetry collection, Coordinated Chaos, was released in September 2025. Alongside her writing, she creates live experiences and community-focused gatherings designed around storytelling and meaningful connection. @linnearachlin
Becoming Myself: Body Imprint Series by Toni Short
Rooted in a multi-year exploration of somatic art and storytelling, these life-sized works map the impact of a narcissistic relationship on the body. The series functions as both a record of the artist’s survival and a vehicle for processing personal trauma. Drawing inspiration from a lineage of women artists who use the body as a canvas, the collection serves as a mirror for others navigating their own path toward bodily agency, self-reclamation and ultimately, fullness returned.
TAKE II by Toni Short
The TAKE II collection is built on a simple belief: everything deserves a second chance. Giving abandoned canvases a new story, the collection mirrors personal metamorphosis through the art of self-reclamation. Anchored by Toni’s signature piece WE RISE—rescued from a New York City street corner—alongside works like Got Money and EOFY, each canvas layers new acrylic over old history. The result is a vibrant testament to resilience, proving that what was once written off can break through into something dynamic and beautiful.
Join Us
Thursday, September 24
4:00-7:00 PM
COCO-MAT SoHo
472 Broome St
New York, NY
Limited seating. Registration is required.
RSVP: [email protected]