flying high

Today I start a new journey, on a different path than the one I started in November.  One that leads me in an exciting new direction.  Starting today yours truly is the Executive/Artistic Director of The Crossing Arts Alliance, a non-profit in my town that promotes the arts and artists in our area.

You may remember me mentioning before how much I've enjoyed volunteering there.  To be able to turn this love of volunteering into a paid position...I don't even have the words to express how happy I am.  While I'll still be working outside of the home, and away from what I've built here, I get to work at something I'm passionate about...the arts.  The icing on the cake is that the hours I'll work will provide a better work/life balance than the position I've recently held.  I'm a lucky girl.

I'm flying high today, much like the fun frisbee I found in my mailbox (my kids have delighted in flinging my likeness around, by the way).

If you're curious about The Crossing, please take a moment to check out their website or come visit their facebook page (I'll be showing up there regularly).  If you're in the area, please stop in and see me in the office adjacent to the Sales Gallery at the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd, MN.

I look forward to seeing all of you here more regularly too.

Happy Wednesday!

a few good hours in the Crossing Arts Alliance Sales & Gift Gallery

Yesterday I spent a few hours volunteering at the Crossing Arts Alliance Sales & Gift Gallery in town.  The Crossing Arts Alliance , located in the Franklin Arts Center,  was once a Jr. High School.  In fact, my husband ran through those halls at one time.  It is now home to artists' shops, galleries, dance studios, and artists' apartments and is a real gem in the community. 

photo by Artspace.org

I brought along a stone to stitch on during the quiet times and stationed myself at the counter, smiling at my surroundings.  

Paintings adorning the walls, pottery and wood bowls begging for closer inspection, shibori scarves in gem-like colors, jewelry, sculpture, bags, hats, pine needle baskets propped up on old chalkboard trays...  It was a nice place to spend the day, tucked in among the local artistry.

I fell in love with this 'Two-Holer' vase by my neighbor Haddie Hadacheck.  It wants to come home with it, it told me so.

I thought this oil painting was especially lovely too, especially when flanked by a silk scarf, pine needle basket, and pottery.

The artist behind that amazing chest of drawers - Mark Munson - stopped in briefly at the shop.  He recently had a show at the Q Gallery , also located in the FAC, and I got to see more of his work there.  Such fine woodworking in a really unique style.

What's this?  Mushrooms, wood bowls, and pottery?  Yes please!

This artist, Carolyn Abbot, had these amazing pleated silk shibori scarves on display and a few naturally-dyed scarves too.  Gorgeous stuff.

I'll be sharing some more photos of these pieces and more on the Crossing Arts Alliance facebook page.  If you look closely you might catch a photo of me behind the counter on there.  If you're ever in the area, make a little time to stop in there and look around, and if I'm in the Sales Gallery please come say hi.

Happy Friday!