Grateful to the Brim

I'm still digesting last night.  What a transformational event that was for me.  I did my 'Curator's Talk' for the Our Prairie in Fibre exhibition.  I was nervous, but I just told my story - my truth.  I had never attended a curators talk before, let alone gave one myself.  The house was packed and more chairs had to be set up.  And then shortly after 7pm, I began.

tweeted image from the SCC staff

I spoke about my experience with 'treasure hunting' for pieces on my checklist (because that's what it felt like).  I explained why I needed the range of fibre art, the four prairie seasons, and having all the elements represented.  I spoke about how things came together and how the show took on an unexpected life of it's own.  There were pieces that surprised me, pieces that jogged my memory, pieces that made me laugh and pieces that made me cry.  I learned so much.  I grew so much.  I'm entirely inspired by the honesty in the art.

I shared some of the artists' stories with the people who gathered around to listen last night.  I tried to articulate why I feel those stories are important.  I looked at the faces around the room and saw over a half dozen people with tears in their eyes!  It was that moment when I knew the show did what I had hoped it would.

Our connection to prairie:  it's a BIG DEAL.  And for so many of the artists in the show, the love for their prairie has become their life's work.  The show is on until February 21, 2015.  To all the people at the Saskatchewan Craft Council, the artists and the visitors to the gallery who leave comments - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

I have gallery images, articles, and videos to share with the each artist as a thank you.  I'll also have guest book comments for you to enjoy.  I will be emailing you all next week!  : )