Photography, children’s books, watercolor and oil paintings, needlepoint, wood sculpting, short stories, Haiku, works of fiction, stained glass, knitted headbands and mittens, note cards, spiral bound blank journals, fiber art and crocheted scarves, wood worked into pens, utensils and bowls – plus, music – all on display in the parish hall on May 14th. Can you picture it? Can you feel the warmth, and lively conversations? It was a wonderful day!

It was still winter when we put out the call for parishioners to celebrate and share their gifts of creativity for an inaugural springtime Arts A Bloom. We had no idea what the response would be – yet were confident that creative gifts among parishioners were plentiful; we were hopeful that people would find a way to share a part of themselves and overjoyed at the response. Several of the exhibitors shared a bit about their relationship with their creative gifts:

I enjoy creating art. I explore with all kinds of media. Every piece is its own adventure for me, it’s always about the journey – not the destination. The final piece, if I ever actually arrive there, is beautiful, no matter how “messy” it may look, because of what I experience through the process of opening myself up and having the courage to take the adventure in the first place – that brings me joy and satisfaction.

I learned the art of Hairpin Crochet from a Sister of Mercy when I was in the eighth grade in Bath. Over one summer, with patience and love, she taught me this art. Over the years, I’d create a piece from time to time. Always remembering her. For me, this craft/art is filled with peace, love of God’s creations, and lasting connections with the ultimate user (whom I may never meet).

I began to take up needlepoint in the mid-1970’s when I lived in Washington, D.C. as it was an occasional hobby of a friend. I never did much in quantity, but enjoyed the variety of canvases available on the market and felt I could produce a decent result. In 2001, I joined the American Needlepoint Guild. It was there that I learned new stitches, threads, techniques and met up with a group of friends which was a delightful part of attending their seminars.

Finishing furniture as a child, I learned to love the smell and feel of wood. Although I am primarily self-taught, I did take two courses on wood sculpture through the Smithsonian resident associates studio arts program and one in furniture making from a prominent Virginia furniture maker. My belief is that we all should give voice to those creative energies within us.

Using my child’s artwork to create notecards and other products, which I sell to benefit the nonprofits that were important to my child has helped give me purpose.

I still pinch myself when I think I was able to see these gorgeous animals in the 80’s when I traveled to Kenya.

We are grateful for the generosity of all who participated. Special thanks to the students and educators at St. Brigid School who created art with this event in mind. Much of their work lined the walls – bringing added excitement and color to the event. If you’d like to see more photos of the event, they’re on our Facebook page in a post from May 14th.

Next spring, Arts A Bloom 2.0. What will you share?