Creative Connecting: Jody Servon at TEDxGreenville 2014

Jody Servon doesn't go into the studio by herself to create works of her own imaginings. Her art is woven by the people she meets, connecting within clever scenarios that spur insight and humor. An associate professor at Appalachian State, she tells us about one project which she's conducted 12 times at different locations in the country. How does it work? She sets up a spot with a sign proclaiming "Dreams for Free."

Passers-by learn that Jody will give them a lottery ticket if they simply write down what they would do with the lottery winnings should they get lucky. The project, which ultimately involved 600 people, is all about how to give people hope, to give someone pause — to do something that will interrupt their everyday. It's a powerful message about connecting with people, being genuine with strangers, and getting people to dream beyond the moment.

This talk was part of TEDxGreenville UNZIPPED, held April 11, 2014, at the Kroc Center in Greenville, South Carolina. For more information about Jody and her co-presenters, please visit .

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)