The Unveiling

Mayor Slay, myself, airport Dir. Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge



An unobstructed view of the mural

 December 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. I was a very excited artist, it was the unveiling of my glass mural design.  It was a year ago that I created a mock up for the design and was off to Munich, Germany to work with glass artist to recreate that design in glass. The design is called 'A Whimsical View', it is what I call the deconstruction of a quilt. 

I am so thankful that I didn't listen to the voices in my head oh so many years ago about living my dream as an artist. I gave up a job in social work that I was not happy with. I buried my desire to be who I was meant to be, and paid dearly for it, because I was constantly in and out of the hospital. While laying up in the hospital in 1978, I vowed that once I was home and recuperated I would enroll in college. It was not to become an artist, it was to learn techniques, terminology, and to be around like minded individuals.  And I can say today, that I am so thankful that I took that step. I am now living my authenic self and enjoying every creative moment of it. My art has been such a blessing to me and for me and I give thanks daily.

Ottawa Exhibit



information outside of the gallery

My first trip to Ottawa, Canada was quite rewarding. I was excited, nervous, overwhelmed, etc. But it all went well, my work was displayed in galleries #1 and #3. In gallery 2 was the work of a young man who created art quilts using recycled circuit boards-very interesting, I was in awe of the work. Prior to the reception at the gallery I was interviewed by CBC. radio about my work that was on display, and many individuals present at the gallery stated that they had heard the interview and wanted to meet me. There was quite a big turn-out. The road to Canada, was one that started years ago.

Adrian Harewood, CBC news anchor, is the person that put it all in motion. When he was doing a radio program at CBC.CA he took time off from 'life' and toured various cities here in the States. When he arrived in St. Louis, he talked to a fellow journalist that told him about the interesting couple in East St. Louis, Edna and Reginald Petty.  He called, we met at my home.  Prior to his leaving, some 6 plus hours later he made the pledge that he was going to help make it possible for me to have an exhibit in Canada.  As I said earlier, this was a long time coming.  One day I received an email asking if I remembered him, and was I still interested in having an exhibit.  With his help and the help of the curator Andrea Fatone, and the Embassy the exhibit was made possible.

Cultural Attache' Dr. Meriwether, myself, J. Jacobson, Amb. wife, and
Andrea Fatone, curator.