Most exhibits of my work are in galleries that represent me. Sometimes, however, it is good to have an exhibit someplace where it is just for fun. Venues such as this often do not lead to sales of artwork, but have a certain allure simply because they are different.
Looking at my calendar, I realize that it was one year ago that I had an exhibit in the office of Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton. In case you are wondering, I don't have a special connection to the governor's office (even though I want to mention that we are on the same page politically). It was January 2008 when I got a call from Mikel Kelley who is an artist friend. He had finished having an exhibit of his ceramic work in Lawton's office. The artist who was scheduled to follow him with a photography exhibit canceled at the last minute. "Was I available or interested?" asked Mikel's voicemail. "If so, contact them now!"
A week or two later, there I was hanging the show with John Ribble, another artist friend. John is an art educator who has a wonderful aesthetic and sensibility with regards to not only creating his own artwork, but also to hanging the artwork of others. He also made me feel as though I was making the decisions. I saw through that, however. We hung the work in the staff and public room leading to and also in Lawton's office. It was after hours, and we went to have fish (a Wisconsin, Friday night phenomenon) at the Laurel Tavern in Madison.
The opening was on February 21, 2008. It was at the end of the work day...5:30 to 6:30 and was catered. Ms. Lawton was a kind host for the exhibit and said flattering things about my work to the assembled guests. I learned that we have some things in common. She is from a family of Norwegian immigrants as well. Her brother(s) also studied at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She described herself, however, as being the black sheep in her family, deciding to attended Gustavus Adolphus College ( and finally graduating from Lawrence University).
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