Meeting New Artists

How long has it been since you went out and actually met a new artist -- especially one who does work that is absolutely unrelated to what you do? Here in Greenville, SC, we had the auspicious opportunity to meet 106 different artists during Open Studio the first weekend of November this year. Nothing inspires creativity like seeing the work that others are doing. 

One artist I was unable to meet during Open Studios just happened to be able to attend Shout! Kiss My Art! this past Tuesday. The minute she showed me her business card I said in recognition, "I've seen your work at the MAC!" (MAC is our Metropolitan Arts Council.) She smiled and said, that indeed it was her work I'd seen and she was quite gracious while I excitedly called my husband over to meet her and show him her card. It was a moment of synergy that highlights what the Votre Vray Creative Women project is all about. 

My question to you is, since you've heard about, and maybe even participated in the project, how many other artist have you met? Did you look at each other's work and give compliments or encouragement where it was due? Or did you only look to see where your name came up and ignored everyone else? 

I honestly believe the greatest resource all people have is each other. That is what life is all about. We need mentors, inspiration, kind words and friendship to help us through our life's journey. Are you a helper or do you suck up all the resources without giving back?

Ways you can give to others:

• Look at each other's work and give compliments.
  
• Read about what other artists and creatives are up to and tell anyone you can about what excites you in your field.
  
• Go to open studios, performances and sales and introduce yourself. Maybe you'll make a new friend, not just a network connection.
  
• Read each others' blogs and websites and tell the creator what inspires you.
• Buy each others' work.

These are just the beginning, but I want to strongly encourage you to talk to each other. Being creative is a lonely road sometimes. Your head is so full of what you're solving and re-solving that you cannot see all the beauty that surrounds you. The most beautiful resource we have is each other. 

Shout: Kiss My Art's Big Debut!

Tuesday, November 11th at 7 p.m. at Greenville (South Carolina)'s Hughes Branch (Downtown) of the County Library will host Shout: Kiss My Art!

Pre-register:
The first 30 women who pre-register via e-mail will receive a gift bag complete with a Shout! T-shirt, books from creative women (so generously donated by the authors) and gift certificates from creativity coaches -- all for FREE!

This show is made possible thank you to all the interviews of the Votre Vray Creative Women and Friends of Votre Vray, with the support of the Metropolitan Arts Council.

Ladies, this will be your first night to shine! You are the inspiration so many other women need. Cheers and kudos to you all!

-Mel.

Lily Pottery and others at Art in the Park Greenville

Art in the Park, Greenville, SC was a success at Flour Field this past weekend. I'm happy to say I picked up some business cards from some wonderful creative women and two fabulous creative men. I'll be blogging about them in upcoming entries, but one I wanted to mention now since I'll be heading to the South Carolina Arts Alliance in Education conference on Wednesday and won't have time to write much beforehand.

Lily Pottery will be moving to her new location this Friday, Sept. 26th and having an open house from 5-9 p.m. at 1203 Pendleton Street. If you can't make it to the launch of her new fall line, visit her on the web at www.lilypottery.com!

Community to "Shout: Kiss My Art!"

On Tuesday, November 11th, regardless of who the new president-elect may be, Greenville, South Carolina women will have a chance to "Shout: Kiss My Art!" The Votre Vray Creative Women show is based upon the answers of the 75 interviewees and surveys from over 80 local women taken at the Upstate Women's Show. "Shout: Kiss My Art" will begin at 7 p.m. at the Hughes Branch of the Greenville County Library. Admission is free. (Please note this show is about adult women's lives, and is not suitable for children.)

I'm so excited to be able to offer this event free to the public. I truly want to reach out to populations that normally would not be able to afford or interested in attending a regular theatre event. To encourage women to come, the first thirty women who e-mail me at MelEdwardsConnect [at] Yahoo [dot] com will get a gift bag of goodies from sponsors and a "Shout: Kiss My Art" T-shirt with the blog address on the back. The goody bag will also have a listing of all the women who have been part of Votre Vray as well as their websites, even if they didn't get to do a full-blown interview. Basically, if you signed a release, gave your input on the launch questions, and got it to me in time, you're in! This is win for all involved!

Thank you, Votre Vray women! This is your chance to be seen as creative mentor for others who dare to dream!

Avenue Q makes Peace Center Attendee Nearly Pee Pants from Laughter

OMG! Last night my darlin' hubby and I attended the opening night of Avenue Q's national tour's run at the Peace Center in Greenville, SC. For those who don't know anything about SC, remember that Bob Jones University is in town and most politicians are Republicans. Those who don't know the show, one of the main characters is Rod, a Republican, whose roommate is trying to get him to realize he's gay. Yuppers! What a show for this town! Sometimes I wonder how the arts community and the religious and political communities mesh around here.

What did the audience think? The guys who sat behind us are planning on telling one of their colleagues that his new nickname is Trekkie but not telling him why or what it means. For those who haven't seen the show, Trekkie's motto is "The Internet is for porn." I feel for that colleague of theirs, but I really am laughing my butt off at the guys who are going to start calling him that. You go, guys! The older couple that sat beside me were pretty quiet, but at intermission the wife took a call. I heard her say, "Yes it is, but we're adults. We can handle it." Her husband waited for her to finish and said, "Nice speech." They didn't even grumble when I cheered during the final number when the puppets and players sang about all the things that are just for now --- including George Bush. In my life, that's a major victory to not be scolded for such honesty.

What did hubby and I get from going? Well, we bought the original cast recording, laughed until I nearly peed my pants (that's what I get for drinking a big ice cold fruit slushy drink before the show and not leaving my seat until it was over), and we dubbed it a perfect night. I can't recall that last time I said that.

Oh, and adults who were raised as Sesame Street fans, as I was, will LOVE the puppets and the set. I said, "This is the closest I've even been to Sesame Street!" and I giggled as my husband looked at me like, "Awwww, ain't she cute...a bit soft in the head, but really cute."

WARNING: Do NOT bring kids to see this unless you really want to explain all of adult language, the sex scene that still has us making comments (since the puppets are basically heads with hands), and spend a good part of your life telling them they can't sing the catchy lyrics or say the four letter words that popped into the script.

Still...if you live close and can afford to attend: DO IT! Also call the box office. I read a blurb the other day that two hours before the show some tickets were going to be available for $25 each, first come-first served, limit two tickets per person. With that option, there is no reason to miss it!

http://www.peacecenter.org/show.asp?ProductID=873