Roses and Cooperation

When I started this “roses” journey at the start of the year, I never anticipated how a virus would wreak havoc upon the world. In all the post-apocalyptic fiction I’ve read and watched, I cannot remember a single instance in which the human race triumphed by simply staying at home and watching Netflix. Movies, television, books, and blogs have primed us to react to disaster with action – stockpile food, fight zombies, retreat to isolated bunkers in the hills and defend our loved ones with decisive, usually violent, action.

This is just – weird.

And yet, as the world stopped turning, people began to find creative ways to pull together, even while physically separated. There have been virtual story hours and cocktail parties. Museums and theaters hosted tours and performances. Zoos, and aquariums flung open their virtual doors. Musicians streamed at-home concerts and directors and actors hosted watch parties of movies. This rampant cooperation has been – in its own weird way – beautiful to watch.

Now, states are beginning to poke their heads out of their burrows. Everyone wants to reopen, although there are some vigorous disagreements about how to best do that and those arguments will continue for at least a few more weeks.

In my hometown, a number of artists have gained support through a wonderful local online vendor fair, which is being run as a labor of love. I participated in that and loved having a chance to virtually spotlight River of Cream and the recent additions to The 100 Day Project.  Now, a local business has agreed to host a pop-up art fair this Saturday (May 16) and I’m thrilled to be part of that.

Please come to the event this Saturday – it’ll be held outside at the Broad River Hemp Co. at 413 South Lafayette Street in Shelby from 10 am until 2 pm. Here are some of the pieces I plan to have for purchase, along with the “Love Shack Whale” at the top of the post:

But – be warned! – it’ll be different from what was once a “usual” arts festival.

How?

So glad you asked!

The best advice we have so far is to act as if anyone you’re interacting with has the virus, which we know can be transmitted when someone shows no symptoms. So that’s how we’re proceeding here. That means contact needs to be minimal. So —

  • Social distancing will be observed – as I like to say, my husband Ensley is six foot four and six feet is the minimum distance between people that needs to be maintained, so I ask that you keep one Ensley between you and me while you’re browsing. I’ll be wearing a mask, since the crowd at the pop-up might get sizable.
  • All of my paintings will be in clear protective bags (the same as I use for transport and shipping) and a wide variety of works will be on display on portable walls.
  • You will be asked to view the paintings without touching them. (It’s like a museum, only you can buy the paintings! Cool!)
  • If you want to discuss other works that aren’t on display, just ask – I won’t be able to have everything out at one time. We can also discuss commissioned works, of course.
  • Purchases will be by PayPal or Venmo only – at this moment in time, even a Square payment is more “touch” than is recommended and cash payments are not an option right now.

Yes, it’s a little strange. No, it’s not forever. I realize this is dreadfully inconvenient but we need to cooperate with each other and show kindness and compassion. I will not be the vector that causes someone to carry the virus home to a beloved family member just to make a sale. That would not be in keeping with my values, which – really – is what this whole “year of roses” comes down to.

Hope to see you there on Saturday!


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