The "Good the 1st Time, Why Not Again?" Story

It was an ordinary day. Taking photos at the 2nd Annual Advent Art Show. Tonight is the opening of the show and there is a reception for all the participating artists. Last year the Parish Resource Center (PRC) of Lancaster, where my wife works, decided to have an art show. Was mildly successful, so a second go around was in order. The theme for this year's show, "A Thrill of Hope, the Weary World Rejoices," was drawn from the lyrics of "O Holy Night," a popular, deeply religious Christmas carol written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure. My wife, Carol, thought it would be nice if I would enter a few items in the show. I searched through my workroom in the basement and found a stained glass window panel that had survived the recent flood except for the wooden frame. The panel had a Modrian approach to it which is a grid of vertical and horizontal lines and the use of primary colors, in this case blue and tints and hues of that color, within the lines. The lines being leaded. Within the patterned lines I inserted three scallop shells in no particular pattern. The namesake of our church in Lancaster is St. James who happened to be a fisherman so hence, the seashell. In our church we use the scallop shell when baptising someone and therefore a "Thrill of Hope" emerges. I know, I'm stretching it a bit, but you should have seen some of the artwork. The theme was certainly open to a lot of different interpretations. A whole lot! I had to replace the wooden frame on the glass panel because of water damage and used a metal channel to do that. I also cut a mat at the gallery where I work that had the words "a thrill of hope" cut out as well as six blocks for photos. I used my altered Polaroid prints of churches for those six openings. Turned out just "OK." Tonight there were 14 artists who participated. It was not a juried show, but just an exhibit of artist's work. Prices were placed on the artwork if for sale, but many chose just display the artwork. I placed a price tag on each of my pieces, just in case someone wanted to help me with the purchase of my Christmas gifts. As the artists entered the PRC tonight I took a photo of each next to their artwork. One artist happened to be the father of a student I had in class in the early 80s. Interesting talking to him and catching up on how his son is doing. The son happens to be employed in the graphics industry, which was what I taught. One of the artists was also in a local choir and she volunteered her group to perform at the showing tonight. Group of over 30 members, all dressed in black and of all ages. Known as "Music for Everyone's Community Chorus", and they sang selections of traditional and international music. They held a short practice session in another area of the PRC and shortly after 7:00 PM they performed. The first number was an Australian chant followed by a song from Israel. The third song was one written just for the choir and never performed before. The music had a very African type sound and beat to it. The director played a bongo during most of the arrangements. Plenty of motion, swaying, hand movements and arm motions helped to interpret the music. I enjoyed the constant bass beats of the drum,but could understand why others may not have enjoyed it. Hey, I was told they were going to be singing Christmas carols! The cookies and punch made the evening a big success for everyone involved. And, especially me since I sold my stained glass panel. Now Carol can have that extra special Christmas gift I was thinking about. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top are: Entrance into the PRC before the artists arrived, Mr. Rob G. who was the father of a former student of mine, "Music for Everyone's Community Chorus" performing, one of the choir members, pix of LDub's stained glass panel with the very nice young woman who purchased it.