I finally made the trip to teach at Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts in Wisconsin. A class that had to be postponed three times… and then, this fall, it was possible.

I think until the plane took off I remained ready for things to come to a halt but other than some anxiety for managing the three planes and airports, it was just as if I had slipped through the doorway that said: “ Return to Normal”

Life through the door led me to friends and students I had thought might not be possible to contain in my smaller world and the gratitude in my heart was over the top… For all of us, to finally be able to come together and share a week of creative play was rich and powerful, like a banquet for the soul.

Also, the little town of Mineral Point is an artist’s heaven, the beautiful buildings, the real shops and studios, the local restaurants, the community and of course the Art Center.

My last years of working close to home has brought new awareness of how much art adds to our lives in a most practical and emotional way. I speak largely but mean to say that when something has been lost and then is returned, the workshop collective is more dimensional… thicker, richer more vital and colourful.

Our theme was ‘Metamophosis’ and the week felt timeless, a metamorphosis for all of us in our own personal ways. The projects that were realized carried deep significance for me as I was the facilitator and the receiver of this gift for myself of returning to one of my sources of joy.

. . . a mix of delightful reconnection and inspiration . . .

I truly felt my students all received something tangible from our week, and that is my mission but also why I love to teach my workshops. They are personal, involved and real.

The outpouring was exquisite to witness and the results left me a bit speechless. In our final session we could have talked about our metamorphosis as a group and individually but all I felt was a real accomplishment for everyone and thrilled by what was created both physically and personally . . .

So, a huge thank you to my generous students, the exceptional group at Shake Rag, my dear friends Cheryl and Jim Smeja for the gift of your apartment and assistance and my fabulous friend Judy for assisting me through our class and taking wonderful care of me once again…!

The result of this journey for me was to find that I could manage the travel and the full week of time again!! So, stay tuned for the workshops that are planned for this new year of 2023!!!

xo