“Sometimes the hardest endings make room for the most beautiful new beginnings.” ~ Unknown
new friend
At last week’s reception, Pam introduced me to Iva Markicevic Daley. She is incredibly kind, and she’s a big arts supporter, coming to all the artist receptions at the Wellness Center. I was touched by her comments about one photo in particular that reminded her of her family’s ancestral farm in Europe (I don’t remember the exact country right now). The similarities between our mountain home and hers points to how uniquely tied Appalachian people are to the world at large, especially those who live in other mountainous regions. We had a wonderful conversation about it. That’s what good art is supposed to do: spark thought and conversation, be they controversial or consensus. One of the most striking things about Iva is that she’s running for the District 99 Kentucky State Representative seat. I’m heartened by her interest in issues that affect so many in her district. If I voted there, she’d get my vote for sure, and not because she came to the reception, but because we had an honest, adult conversation about our shared values sparked by a single photograph. That makes the effort of showing my work to the public worth it. You just never know who it’s going to touch, the people you’ll meet, and the memories you’ll make.
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