Boston Memorials, Light and Metaphor

 
 
  It’s taken a while to be able to put my thoughts
and reactions to the bombing at the  Boston marathon
into words.  Neither I nor my family nor close friends
were at the site, but we certainly could have been. Any
of us could have been.  Images - dramatic, horrifying
and inspiring have filled the airwaves, as have the
stories. We grasp to understand the how and why of
what happened, appreciate the heroism demonstrated,
marvel at the excellence of medical care available, but
recognize the long painful road of recovery which lies
ahead.

    I’ve thought about how people respond to trauma
and how I chose to respond. The night after the
bombing, most churches in the Back Bay area of
Boston were closed because they were within the
“crime scene”. The church we attend, Arlington Street
Church was three blocks from the finish line, just one
block from the closed area. The night after the bombing,
there was a interfaith vigil for healing held at ASC.
Predictably it was filled to the rafters. It felt good to
gather together, sing, reflect, hug. Many runners were
there as well as some injured. One of the songs we
sang was "I Am Willing" by Holly Near.


   My husband went to our garden and picked forsythia
and cherry blossoms to bring to the service.  His response:
look for new growth and nature’s renewal. I spent Tues.
and Wed. with neighborhood children. It  was vacation
week. My response: be with children, try to offer a little
normalcy. Listen. 

   During that incredibly compact week of news, discovery
and final resolution, events happened elsewhere in Boston.
In our neighborhood of Roxbury, there were seven shooting
incidents unrelated to the bombing,  leaving two dead.  In
Malden, a town just North of Boston, a young mother
was walking with her 9 month old.  She was hatefully
attacked because she was wearing a head scarf.
The town  came  together in an interfaith service for
peace offering support and giving a clear message:
"This is not what our city stands for". The woman
 who had been attacked spoke out boldly and
eloquently to all present including a number of us from
Boston.


 And  of course many tragedies happened across the
country and  worldwide...as they do every day.


Finally on Saturday, I went to the memorial which had
been set up and was increasing daily at the foot of
Bolyston and Berkeley. I couldn’t bring myself to go
before then....couldn’t let myself go where I knew it would
take me. It was eerie to see Bolyston St. empty of people
and civilian vehicles.

As I stood there, I watched young children leave flowers
by the image of Martin Richard (the age of one of
our grandchildren) ...saw the running shoes, the affirmative
comments and banners of resilience, Boston Strong...saw
people pet the dog helpers who were there for anyone
who needed them. I also thought about  the memorials which
show up on the street corners of our neighborhood and so
many others much too often...in memory of deaths, not so
publicized, but no less tragic.
 The next day I walked to the street  memorial of the
22 year old shot and killed several blocks from our house
the day after the marathon.


 I talked to a young
man sitting on the stoop
by the memorial He had
been just down the street
when the shooting
occurred. This murder
will most likely remain
unsolved.

This past weekend was “Boston Shine” - an annual
citywide spring cleaning event.  In our neighborhood
a group of us helped clean and improve the
empty lot next to Hawthorne Youth and Community
where I work.  We made major progress, clearing
 

built raised beds,

planted flowers...
 
and reveled as children “discovered” creatures, like
this little snake:

Afterwards, we went inside, ate pizza, and made decorations
and musical instruments for the Wake up the Earth Parade
next weekend. 

 It felt good to gather in community.

On Sunday Clementina Chery of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
spoke at our church.  For the last 19 years since Tina’s son
was killed, she has directed her energies into making a
difference through the Institute.  It supports survivors
of homicide victims and shares peace curriculum in area
schools. One of their major fund raisers is a Peace walk on
Mother’s Day. I’ve walked in it  for a number of years.
One of the parents from Newtown CT will speak at the
rally before the walk this year.  I can't be there in person
this year, but will definitely be there in spirit.

Finally, a last thought and image to hold. At the end of
the ASC service on April 16, we lit each others candles
while in the pews... then at our minister’s suggestion,
we  filed out into the night, crossed the street to the
Boston Public Garden and stood lining the lagoon there.
The clergy stood on the bridge looking at all of us.  We
sang. It was a beautiful scene (one captured by the 
Washington Post). But the significance for me was less
the beauty of the moment than the experience. There was
a light breeze that eve so it wasn’t easy to keep the candles
lit.  The flames kept going out, requiring us to help each
other relight them. Besides adding a bit of levity to a somber
time, I thought of it in terms of a metaphor.  It’s not an easy
task to keep the light of hope lit... and really the only way
possibleis by helping each other...and gathering in community. 

Times like these remind us to savor every moment of life’s
adventure and to support each other.

Adventure on!.....Wendy

ACC Baltimore - elegance, design, and wild fun

ACC Baltimore was as inspiring as ever this year.  Part of that comes
from the amazing variety of work that is presented at the show.  You
can be overwhelmed by the incredible technique and sophistication by
work such as that by the ceramic artist Mariko Swisher pictured above.
Some of her elaborate geometric pieces takes over a month to
complete. Mariko's booth offers a serene environment and opportunity
to get to know this extraordinary and gentle artist: 

Or  be pulled in by the work of another ceramic artist, James Aarons
and  his "exploration of space" (James description of his new work.)
Intrigued  by urban spaces and movement within them, he says "the
main purpose of my work is to inspire curiosity and action". Movement
and action - not a surprise since James has also had an extensive career
as a modern dancer. 

Then, turn the corner to see funk and fun by Amy Flynn.  Her
one-of-a-kind Fobots  made from found objects are full of energy
and fun...reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously.

Or admit that serious fun is needed too.  A dramatic contrast from the
booths of Mariko and James, Amy's booth demonstrates how different
work requires a different approach to display.  Unfortunately I wasn't
able to visit with Amy at the show, hope to connect with her down the
road. I was able to talk at least a bit with Don Becker whom I met for
the first time at ACC Baltimore in 2010 when he had one of the small
alt craft booths. I  was pleased to see this puppeteer par excellence in a
full  booth this year:

By the time I took a photo of his booth, quite a few puppets and
sculptures had already lept off the shelves. One of Don's
puppets greets me every day as I walk into my studio.

And where does my work fit in the midst of these wild contrasts?
Perhaps somewhere inbetween. Here is an image of my booth
this year at ACC Baltimore taken by the photographer, Bob Barrett.

I had  Bob Barrett take some photos of individual pieces as well....I'll
share them in my next post.

Adventure on.    Wendy

HYCC community prayer flags for Obama

 Sorry for my delay in posting....I've just finished participating in the
Baltimore American Craft Council show and will post very soon about
its wonders.  But first, as promised, here are some images from the
Hawthorne Youth and Community Center workshop I helped with on
Martin Luther King day/Inauguration Day -  needless to say, quite a
day of celebration in our community.  Four years ago HYCC hung flags
for President Obama and his family wishing them well and sending our
hopes and prayers. We decided this second term, our President needed
our good wishes more than ever. 

      The afterschool children had been making flags in preparation
for this event.  Late afternoon on Jan. 21st., we invited the broad
community to come and create their own.  

It was a wonderful intergenerational event. Youngest participant under

2, eldest 80...which was wonderful for story sharing. 

 A lot of thought went into the flags.  Over 50 were created.

 

 

 

 

Once completed, we stitched them onto a  line so they could fly high

and send our thoughts to Washington D.C. and beyond. The evening

concluded with delicious food, song, discussion and more stories.

We hung the flags the following morning...a very windy day.so

we're sure our messages sailed on their way. 

 

Keep positive energy swirling....

and Adventure on.    Wendy

New friends, costumes and inspiration at Arisia

Reardon the Rambunctious rambled over to Arisia 2013 with me this
year where inspiration and creativity filled the air.  I was fortunate to
have my dealer table  next to that of  the Guest of Honor Artist,
Roger Dean .I was surrounded by his fantastic worlds and better yet
was able to get to know him and his equally amazing, multi-faceted
daughter, Freyja Dean. Freya and Roger had flown over from England
for the event. Friend Jud was manning his booth.  When talking to me
about my work, Freyja asked what sort of  environment I visualized
my creatures in. I had never  thought concretely about that. My
immediate answer, however, was that they very likely would exist in 
a world looking much like one of Roger's landscapes. What incredible
stories the scenes all hold. I have placed one of Roger's prints in my
studio to continue to contemplate the question. My words can't do
justice to either Roger or Freyja's work...so definitely check out their
websites. For a young person, Freyja has already explored many
roads. I'm going to enjoy seeing her path unfold in the years ahead.

As usual, creative costume design and diversity abounded at Arisia
from headdresses to hats

 
(Yes, that is one of my small dragon books finding a place to roost.)

to  entire outfits. Merida was there,a few satyrs and
other personalities

My favorite Batman was this guy with his 12 foot wingspread, opened
via a hidden lever.

Since I was set up  across from the booth of the Leather Lair
I was entertained by seeing Suzanne and Lithia entice
customers with cool designs.  Lots of great outfits
left .  It was also fun to see what outfits the Leather
Lair ladies showed up in every day:

I definitely could feel the presence of my costume designer brother,
Taylor.  He died over 20 years ago, but is definitely still around in my
work and challenging me forward.

During the art show opening, I was able to talk more to Eric Bornstein
of Behind the Mask  Going over to his studio in Sommerville to
explore activities there is definitely on my to do list for 2013:

Sales went well for me at Arisia.  Folks enjoyed my new boxes to keep
an "eye" on whatever you desire:

And I received some intriguing orders -like making a cover for a
customer's special edition of the Necronomicon by H. P.  Lovecraft. I
finished it today....A red/gold/black "shark" eye seemed appropriate.

 I also learned that my e-reader covers fit the mini I-pad and Samsung
Galaxy pad. Good to know that I'm keeping  up with new electronics,
even if somewhat by accident.

The last day of Arisia was MLK day and,of course, inauguration day.
So after packing up my table I was off to Hawthorne Youth and
Community Center to help with  a "Prayer Flags for Obama"
workshop and celebration.  I had worked with the afterschool kids
for the previous two Wednesdays, so by the end of the eve, we had
quite a wonderful selection.....Images of that in my next blog post.

2013 off to a good start here...I hope the same is true for all of you.

Adventure on.  Wendy