Louisville October 7th, 2024. 547 words

My daughter Ruth and I have never taken a vacation just the two of us. When John couldn't travel, I asked Ruth is she would want to go. She was excited so we flew last week to Kentucky to attend and present my art in the American Printing House In Sights Art show.

Aaron, dropped us off at the airport on Wednesday morning. Our flights took us from Grand Rapids, to Atlanta, before arriving in Louisville. When we arrived the APH awards program had started so Ruth and I went down to have some hush puppies with a jalapeno dip and skillet fried corn bread with a drink. The art show didn’t open until the next day at the Marriott in downtown Louisville KY. Our rooms were keyed with a card and the guest rooms and public spaces had raised and braille to mark them. Other amenities were braille menus, and a staff that was eager to help with the many blind attendees.
The breakfasts and dinners were buffet style. The staff were prepared to help with selection and carry food plates to tables. After lunch, we wandered to see the art. Ruth described the art. Many pieces were large but a few miniatures of pictures were well done. The InSights program chair, Meg Overland, called out, “touch any art you want, this a touch friendly exhibit.”
Sculptures, textured paintings, digital and crafts from kindergarten to adults were side by side. All could be explored tactually and with vision. Many of the pieces were marked as sold. I planned on donating my piece so I had no price on my art. Before the time set to meet the artists, we made use of the gym. After wards ,we showered and dressed for the event. I talked for over an hour about the process to make my owl tree . at one point, I was speaking to over. a dozen people. A highlight for Ruth was to watch as a deaf/blind and and a blind individual communicate with an interpreter , as they asked me questions of the art and the process. I met the art teacher that bought my piece of “guide dogs at rest”, from last years show, as an example of touchable art.
I said,
“Can I tell you a secret about that piece?”
“Sure.” he replied.
“I had a stroke before I finished the last dog. I ended up with a two headed dog.”
He asked, “What did you do… make another”?
“No time, I replied,” I cut the one head off and knitted and felted the wound closed
I bet he looks for the one dog to see if he can find it when he returns to Georgia.
Another group was gushing about the piece and sorry they didn’t see a sale tag. I replied,
” I am donating it, would you like it?”
She was the State Director for Special Education in Michigan. She was thrilled and we talked about promoting art for the blind in Michigan.
I talked about my ongoing exchange with poetry and art on a postcard with fellow artist Lynda Lambert. She also had a piece at the show. There was excitement and interest in the possible book that will come from this exchange.

carolaspot@aol.com copyright 10/7/24