So, a few years back, prior to Covid, I was working with the Library Director at Peter White Public Library about having My Storyline quilts on display. We had to postpone a few times, but now we are ready to go ahead for April.
She needed a few pictures of the quilts that will be on display.
I thought of my Mis-Matched Mitten Tree ones and took them out on a snowshoe this morning.
This is the first Mitten Tree - created in the Fall of 2010
The cloak of my truth weighed heavy on me. Yet I was pleased I belonged somewhere; if even on the tree of misplaced or unmatched etc.
The second one - I didn't sign and date, so not sure when this one was made. I few years after for sure.
I feel she has more self-esteem and worth. She is delightfully okay with being different -okay in being not okay in the normal societal standards.
As I was thinking of the Mitten Tree quilts - I recalled one more - this one was made in 2020 - I believe in the Fall.
This one is where she is part of the society or she fits in with others. And, this is more that she has accepted herself and is willing to get close to others and make connections.
One thing about becoming estranged - is that you now wonder about the ending of things.
Not that it is a conscious thought; but you can withhold large parts of yourself from others.
Daring to open your heart and being willing to lose - takes self-esteem and courage.
I may be adding this one to the collection.
And, I am going to go through the rest of my quilts to see if there are others who need to join the My Storyline.
I will be working on getting words together to go with each quilt. It will be an interesting walk back down to the earliest quilts in this line. What they would now say to me and how I will feel.
I look forward to seeing them all on display again - and in such a beautiful venue.
I am also feeling anxious. It has been awhile.
These quilts represent the truest sense of me. They display how little my insides where and how vulnerable and lost - and yet they also hold the power and strength it has taken to being okay with being me.
One of my intentions of being retired was to explore more of my Art - or my art therapy. I feel were inseparable. And, we both continue to grow and become.
The set-up will be in the beginning of April.
The Artist Reception on April 14th.
The last display day will be on May 20th.
It is so appropriate that My Storyline quilts will be on display in April - May.
"April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, otherwise known as SAAM. During this month, people across the United States raised awareness about sexual violence, how to prevent it, and how to support those who are affected by it."
"May is National Mental Health Awareness Month - focuses on bringing tools, resources, and education to the general public."
While both of these things are getting easier to talk about, there still is much silence.
I am hopeful that my quilts will inspire others in ways that I can't even begin to know.
What I know for sure, is it would have been so nice to see something like this when I first began to unravel out of denial.
So, ready or not I will be once again on display.
