My quilts are rolled up and loaded into the car - their labels have been printed - they are all set to be put on display.
I was chosen by the Peter White Library Arts Committee to show my art in their Huron Mountain Club Gallery on the first floor at the Library.
They will be there until May 20th.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and I am honored to have my Art hanging during this month to help bring awareness. I am hopeful they will bring hope and inspiration to others who also have been victims of abuse.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. By sharing my art therapy quilts, they show others they are not alone.
I believe it was 8 years ago when they were at the Dial Help Gala at Michigan Tech, and I once again feel the excitement and vulnerability. I am thrilled to have this opportunity and at the same time - shy.
(I looked back in my blog and the first outing for these quilts was for the 2012 Strawberry Festival Quilt Show - almost a decade ago.)
Sharing my Art Therapy quilts is to share parts of my journey that holds much stigma.
Being able to walk without fear into the Huron Mountain Gallery and shake out each quilt and put it under the spotlight - is equal to walking in naked.
Yet I told a friend the other day, that vulnerability is courage.
It is true.
You gotta be a badass to display details others keep secret.
What I know for sure is that the more of us who show our imperfections, the easier it is for others to deal with theirs. For so long the goal of life it seemed was to be perfect. Allowing for imperfections feels more real to me.
I am not interested in perfection.
Even in my quilts and art.
I quilt by feelings.
I live by feelings.
I make mistakes and errors - both in life and art.
That is the way.
So, if you are in the Marquette area and are interested in Art, Art Therapy, and my journey - stop in the Peter White Library. They are also going to have many of the books that helped me on my journey on display in the gallery or nearby.
If you do, drop me a note.
Off to show my soul.
