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.

IT;S BEEN A LONG TIME

It has been such a long time since I have posted anything. My only excuse, which is really a great excuse, is that I have been working in my studio on personal work as well as commissions, in the park on my community project, and in my own back yard. None of that is bad, just time consuming and so I sometimes get antsy when I sit at the computer too long therefore my postings have suffered or more or less been non-happening. But I am thrilled to share that August 15 to the 25. 2013, I will be in Beijing China.
I will attend the closing ceremony of 'The Sum of Many Parts' I will also facilitate a few workshops

 

 

and give a lecture on my process and style of creating.

I will also be flown to Xi'an to do another workshop, then back to Beijing for my return flight home.  I am very excited about the trip and extremely happy that my daughter will be able to accompany me on this journey.  My husband, due to his health did not think he could endure the long flight. I have also been informed that while in China I will be escorted to see The Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, The Forbidden City, and the Terra Cotta Warriors. This truly is a blessing, I received this wonderful news about the China trip one week after my birthday in April, what a wonderful gift.