art in storefronts - part 6

The unveiling ---
Highlights of the opening included:

- Talking to the other storefront artists
- Seeing an old friend from high school
- Personally inviting people into the reception and seeing the delight on their faces to be included in such an event
- Meeting local business owners, moms, sons, children
- A conversation with City Supervisor Sophie Maxwell about how relevant my window was to her experience growing up
- Lots of local people surprised to see a crowd of white people standing on the corner of 3rd and Palou in this minority filled neighborhood
- Watching the local neighborhood residents mingle with art world people
- The owner of a storefront giving long stem roses to all of the ladies at the event
- A walking tour in three groups of about 40 people which grew as we walked and people on the street joined in because they were curious to see where we were going
- Seeing the look of pride on my mother’s face as she watched people surround me acknowledging my work
- Senator Mark Leno asking me for a postcard with my work on it after talking with me about my work
- Seeing people looking at my window
- Hearing oohs and ahhs as the windows were revealed
- Being interviewed for a podcast for the SF Arts Commission
- Great conversation with Luis R. Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs for the SF Arts Commission
- Listening to Judy Nemzoff, the Program Director for Community Arts and Education at the SF Arts Commission share how my work has moved her! She even described my piece that was in the Open Studios Group show!
- Being able to stand in front of my window and talk about the ideas behind it with a crowd of people
- Seeing people from all walks of life coming together to appreciate art

Art does indeed have the power to unite, to inspire, and to create community.