Saturday, August 31, 2013

From East St. Louis Illinois to Beijing China

The Sum Of Many Parts opening ceremony
I was invited to Beijing China to not only be a part of this celebration but to also facilitate 11 workshops. Seven of the workshops were in Beijing and four were facilitated in Xi'an China a two hour flight from Beijing. The biggest barrier was the language, but the interpreters help things to run smooth as silk and packets of fabric was already prepared for each participant, all I had to do was facilitate the activities. I felt like a star, my daughter and I was picked up at the airport by an Embassy driver who took us to our hotel.

Each day we were picked up and taken to our destination, and returned afterwards to our beautiful hotel. I worked with primary and elementary aged children as well as quilting groups, staff at a social service agency, and a disabled group. To me it was a great exchange of education and artistry, everyone was so open and willing to try something new. After each group I allowed 10-15 minutes for anyone who wanted to share their experience a chance to do so. A good time was had by all.

An awesome welcoming
 
When I first entered Williams English School in Xi'an I was awe struck. There were about  40 children sitting in a 'U' shape array of table and chairs, and lined up behind them were two rows of chairs filled with adults. It was hard to believe that this was all for me. As I came further into the room I saw the banner above welcoming me to their school.  'In To Me I See' is the title of my workshop. A total program had been planned. Two older students did the introduction, one spoke in English the other in Mandarin, they in turned introduced the principal/founder of the school who gave a nice welcoming speech he then introduced Erika from the Embassy who accompanied me to each workshop. She said a few words and then introduced me and the workshop began, at that time I so wished that I could speak their language and I did let them know that, I invited any parent that wanted to assist their child to do so, and they rushed to the tables. It was such a fun experience.
 
 

 
Having the opportunity to work with a staff was also a blessing, they would be able to work directly with their clientele and know first hand what the experience was like.
 

This is the staff of Gender Development Solution (a social service program working with abused women and children). My trip to China is not one that I will soon forget. It was a lesson and a eye opening experience for all. I know that I am truly blessed and give thanks daily for all of the opportunities that my art exposes me to.

2 comments:

  1. How exciting! I'm really looking forward to your presentation to my Thimble and Thread guild in October. You may not remember me, but I met you at COCA, where you gave a workshop to a senior group and I tagged along. You inspired me. I'm now putting the finishing touches on the quilt I made, in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement, to be auctioned at the 2013 Annual Birmingham Civil Rights Institute's fundraiser.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I remember our conversation about the Civil Rights quilt, glad you are finishing it up. Isn't that a great feeling!! I hope I don't disappoint you when I speak in Oct. Do you know Pam Coaxum, she too is a member of Thimble and Thread guild, I found that out this summer when I did a workshop for her with a group of children. I look forward to seeing you again. Continued blessings always.

    ReplyDelete