Celestial Orbs at ArtFields 2018

 (Above:  Celestial Orbs and me!  Click on any image to enlarge.)

Last summer I created an installation of circles for a solo show at Waterworks Visual Art Center, a regional museum in Salisbury, NC.  I called it Celestial Orbs.  It was made in part as a response to the total solar eclipse but also as a response to Waterworks' executive director who challenged me to make my fiber pieces in such a way that they didn't need custom picture framing.  CMFA (Columbia Music Festival Association) hosted me work-in-progress over the summer.  I blogged every week as more and more parts were made.  Finally, I submitted the installation to ArtFields, a nine-day competition held annually in Lake City, South Carolina. (April 20 - 28, 2018 ... obviously, I will not be at this event as I'll be doing the Smithsonian Craft Show in DC.  Still ... my work will be on view for this entire time.)

 (Above:  Installing Celestial Orbs at 122 Sauls Street in Lake City, SC.)

Today was my installation day.  It was quite an honor to be the first artist to put holes in a brand new wall in a brand new gallery space.  The fact of the matter is, the building isn't quite finished yet!  The "punch list" for the construction crew is underway in this fantastic new space.  The renovation of this once neglected store front is totally first-rate.  The wooden ceiling beams are exposed.  There's plenty of natural light in addition to great track lighting.  There are rolling, temporary walls too ... which are amazing units.  I'm on a permanent wall.  The place is truly beautiful. My husband Steve and I even got to meet the architect! 

 (Above:  Celestial Orbs at ArtFields in the new gallery space at 122 Sauls Street, Lake City, SC.)

It took less than an hour for me to attach the comet, the orbs, and all the little circles I call "comet dust".

The shadows cast on the wall are great too!