I have had way too much fun this fall with all things art and otherwise. As a result, I have been less than attentive to this blog as two people have recently reminded me. I think it is just like anything else you procrastinate with: the longer you put it off, the harder it is to return to it. So I will try again.
I kicked off the fall with an entry into Artprize 2014. It is always a whirlwind of excitement, social events surrounding art and of course, the art viewing. The art viewing experience alone takes up hours of walking amidst the crowds to a destination and then viewing a portion of the 1700 plus entries. This year was no exception.
I was a part of the Cathedral Square venue which had a great selection of artists and proves to be a growing destination site. 18,000 people passed through the doors to see art from 56 artists.
Some highlights –
Elizabeth Brandt‘s piece
Blair Reinckman
My entry
Kids education days which is my favorite part of the event.
I loved their silly questions. I loved their thought provoking questions . And I loved their open eyes and surprised look when I explained what I did. There is no better than than watching kids get excited about art. This is a significant perk for me in participating in Artprize.
Gail and Bill Baar came to spend a night and attend the artist opening at the DeVos Center. Gail had a primo spot there. I took them on a whirlwind 3 hour trip around and I exhausted all of us.
It was great to catch up and we also snuck in a trip to Meijer Gardens before they left.
I was lucky enough to have an interview on a local radio station WGVSU and was fortunate to not say anything too silly. (Thanks Betsy for the opportunity!) It was nerve racking but not as intimidating as I thought it would be. And then the icing on the cake was a photo in the Sunday paper of my little old piece that was a total surprise.
In late September, I fulfilled my last duty as member to the workshop committee for my local guild, the West Michigan Quilt Guild. I was classroom monitor for the first day of Jacquie Gehrig‘s workshop titled ” Slice and Insert Improvisations”. She is a kind, energetic and a “meet you where you” are kind of instructor. She is very passionate about the Modern Quilt Guild and a great ambassador for it. It’s no wonder she received Professional Teacher of the Year for 2014.
October was filled with family. I had a quick trip to visit my daughter Hope in Iowa for parents weekend. I am proud of how hard she is working to make her way in the competitive pre-vet world.
Lots of soccer games and my son Ben was named to the Olympic Development team which will mean trips to Sarasota, Phoenix and Costa Rica in the next 6 months. Big news indeed but again he is such a hard working driven kid whose work is paying off.
We ended on a sad note with saying good bye to Grandpa and father-in-law Thurm . Death is always a lesson in appreciating the time we have today. We will miss you Grandpa.
It has been marvelous fall filled with art, friends, family and the making of things.
Your Rooflines quilt is just stunning! Seriously. So beautiful.
Thanks Carolyn!
Just checking your blog and I see that you have a daughter in Iowa at school. My daughter is at Iowa State in her last year at the vet school. She is in Ames. I’ll be there for graduation in May.
Thanks for popping in. My daughter goes to Dordt College-and she was studying pre-vet but has changed to Agricultural Business. We are 11 hours away in Michigan! Say hello to Linda Bachman for me.