Kaleidoscope 2015

Another great Kaleidoscope of Art event has been safely tucked in for the year. The Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney, Ne. celebrates artists and art patrons by hosting 30 artists for their annual holiday fundraiser.

 MONA was in its infancy when I was growing up in Kearney. It has developed into a first class museum celebrating artists who have ties to Nebraska through heritage or subject matter. This year nearly 700 visitors passed through the front doors to see what area artists have been working on for this special weekend.

My display 

Rick Brown of the Kearney Hub newspaper and I enjoyed a fun and wide-ranging conversation while visitors browsed through the halls of the museum making their purchases.  My answer to a toss-off question he asked surprised us both.

Had this been a successful event, and why?

Evidently others had responded in the usual way; art work had sold, money had changed hands, or at the very least hopeful contacts had been made for future reference.

©2015 Patricia Scarborough Autumn Garden  6x8 oil  Sold

Those are, of course, excellent markers of success. Mine was slightly different. The words that popped out of my mouth were, "Yes it has been successful, because I want to come back next year."

Yes. Yes I do.

These events are a challenge, at least for me. There's the unique preparation for an event of this kind, as well as overnight arrangements, hauling in and setting up, taking down and hauling out. I'm pooped before the doors open for business. Plus I'm a little (or a lot) introverted, and engaging in 2 days of conversations can leave me feeling a little drained.  Often times I leave these affairs thinking, "...never again...".

Yet the answer to Rick's question was, "I'll be back. Why? I made some new friends, caught up with others, and actually had a really terrific time. MONA is a great place to share art and conversation. Plus they provide really good cookies. Oh, and yes, there were sales. That too."

©2015 Patricia Scarborough  Morning!  6x8 oil   Sold

I'll tuck the Kaleidoscope of Arts event in the scrapbook for another year, and mark it on my calendar for the first weekend in November, 2016. You should too.

Kaleidoscope Weekend

Greetings dear reader –

If you’ve been paying attention you know that this weekend the gem of the midwest, the Museum of Nebraska Art, is hosting their annual Kaleidoscope of Art event.  This is the second time I’ve been invited to participate.  It’s a heady experience, showing my paintings in the hallowed halls of this beautiful museum. This is the weekend Mona hosts a variety of interesting, exciting artists whose only desire is to help Santa fill the stockings of good girls and boys the world over.

Photos of a few of the artists sharing the day with me :

Susan Leise  fun and functional pottery

Carmela Schnoor hand woven textiles. Btw, I look fabulous in my new hat!

Martha Pettigrew beautifully crafted sculptures and paintings

Jodie Marshall lampwork beads shine like candy

 

 Dede Elsen beautifully hand crafted woven goods

 Pat Weiderspan Jones had a table of delightfully quirky artful items.

 

Herm Rauth gracefully elegant stoneware pottery

Keith Lowry and his collection of beautiful atmospheric oils

 

Sally Jurgensmier , the woman of steel, with her funky found-item welded artwork

 

And me!

No sooner will Handsome Husband and I pack up and arrive at our humble abode than we’ll re-pack and head for Norfolk Arts Center to deliver my next exhibit, Common Ground.  Whether I’m coming or going remains to be seen.

Onward!!