Unanticipated inspiration.

by Mimi Schlichter March 19, 2021

A dreary, wet Thursday afternoon. Yesterday I wandered into Highfield Hall to take in the photo exhibit "Togetherness: The Front Steps Project" mainly because I knew this photo of Rosie and me is in it.

If you're not familiar with the project, business owner and local photographer Lee Geishecker of Vagabond View photography, together with realtor and community business organizer Annie Hart Cool, produced a visual diary last year of people in Falmouth and the surrounding communities affected by the Covid19 quarantine time. For Rosie and me, it was an opportunity to interact, at a safe distance, with a real person, midst quarantine. Brings tears to my eyes as I remember the day.

Yesterday, the show of over 200 photos brought tears of joy. So many smiling faces. Some known. Some new to me. All expressing a community spirit, love of home, and resiliency through an agreeably odd time in our collective history. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend you add it to your to-do list. The show ends on March 27.

But that wasn't the end of my visit! Running concurrently is the Tapestry Biennial 13 show, an exhibit of 35 tapestries from around the world, an international juried show. Wow! What an unanticipated delight.

Now, in the spirit of full honesty, I must say that had you invited me to this show of contemporary tapestry weaving, I would have likely said a polite "no thank you, that's not really my thing."

SURPRISE!

I was absolutely blown away! Called at least four people as soon as I was back in my car and said "you must see this"! And here's where the unanticipated inspiration comes in. I remembered a piece I started in high school, never finished, that has traveled with me for the past 40+ years through every move, that I pulled down from the attic and into my bedroom last evening. I was reminded that once upon a time (don't you love that cliche?) I DID dabble in tapestry weaving. And I believe I will again, very soon. The woven textures and subtle and striking color variations I experienced yesterday presented a new medium for me to entertain. A Cape sunset. Well of course it was. Pictured below.

The moral of the story? Be open. Allow yourself to wander where the spirit leads. You might just find a delightful surprise.

Blessings to you on this cold and sunny Friday!

Oh, and here's the unfinished sunset tapestry.

Mimi