Opening Reception for Windows and Mirrors

Hey Creative Friend, last Saturday was amazing. It was the opening reception for Windows and Mirrors my current solo show at Dana Hall School. Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the opening reception for Windows and Mirrors. I wanted to share my feelings about the day as well as some photos with you. Whether you were able to make it or not, this post is for you.

Meaningful and Beautiful Doesn’t Begin to Describe it

Okay, to start off, it was a beautiful event. A really, really beautiful event. When I say beautiful, I don’t mean in appearance. Although it was beautiful in that way too. However, what I mean is that the opening reception for Windows and Mirrors was emotionally beautiful and meaningful.

It’s been said that emotions are the keystone to experiencing art. And for sure, there were a lot of emotions in the room that day during the reception for Windows and Mirrors. It was so palpable, you could feel it, touch it, and hear it.

I had such a sense of fulfillment watching the young girls as they saw themselves reflected on the walls in beautiful ways, which they are not used to seeing in the media and other main stream sources.

I didn’t see the exhibition when it was installed. This weekend was my first time seeing it. Michael Frassinelli – Dana Art Director, did a fabulous job of adding seats which have been upholstered with African fabrics to the space. Also, the floors were painted by the students as part of an art project. The entire vibe in the gallery space was festive and celebratory.

The Mood at The Reception for Windows and Mirrors

It set the mood for how the exhibit was perceived and received. I’m glad I gave him total creative freedom with the installation and the planning of the reception for Windows and Mirrors. I believe that when you don’t let go and allow other people the chance to show you what they can do with your work, you don’t get to fully experience how far your work can go and how it’s seen through the eyes of others.

That was one of the rare gifts I received during the reception – Seeing my work through the eyes of others. Hearing what they thought about the works. Watching the emotions the works elicited from them. It was priceless. How do you ever replicate that? You can’t.

So many awesome people to meet

For the first time, I met some people who until then, I’d only known online through my blog. And of course there were lots of people who I didn’t know at all. But it didn’t matter whether I knew people or not. There was a lot of energy in the room. From beginning to the end, I talked non-stop. I enthusiastically answered questions, explained my processes, and passionately told the stories behind the works to all who were present.

Two hours went by real fast. It was only when it was all over, did I notice how parched my throat was. It’s simply amazing to think that it had rained all day. It was a typical New England kind of weather. You know, the kind that certainly wasn’t the best weather day of the week. And yet, we had such an outpouring of people. The rain didn’t put a damper on things at all.

What an experience!

God, I thank you.

A Surprise Acquisition

You’ll think that such a fun-filled, impactful day could not be topped. However, it was. The icing on top of all of this is, at the end of the event, I found out that my piece: Gele – The Skyscraper had been acquired. You can see photos and read about Gele – The Skyscraper here. Update (I am a Child was acquired instead of Gele)

What a day!

Thank you to everyone who attended the opening reception for Windows and Mirrors. Your presence, your warmth, and your support, all mean a lot to me. And a special thanks to all of you who’ll go see the show between now and November 19. For those you who can’t go, I’ve got you. Here’s a sneak peak of the exhibit.

Warmest Regards,

---

Also published on Medium.