MassMOCA Residency & ME

The following piece was written 6 months ago, since then I’ve grown accustomed to not having a studio. A little harder to adjust to, is living without a cohort of ten creatives. That I truly miss, and although some of us have gotten together, I’m old enough and wise enough to know, as time goes by…

But the words that follow were written, when I returned home with my bags unpacked, full of the magic and awe of a month long residency at MassMOCA.

***********************

Journaling isn’t my style, but if it were I would now have fifteen days filled in, with words of gratitude and kindness written elegantly on the page.

I’m here, at MassMOCA in North Adams, making art for the entire month of February. Already, I’ve discovered new ways to work, to express myself and I’ve made some lifelong friendships.

To be a part of a cohort is brand new to me. How would I liken it to another life experience? It’s not the same as being on a basketball team, where each player has a defined role, in a position suited to their ability and height. And yet, there is a certain quality, in the ways that we support one another, words of encouragement and acts of kindness.

But being around creatives is completely different and wonderful!!! Here, there is a sense of belonging without having to conform and wear a uniform. Here, I can wear whatever I like, say what I like and be both seen and heard. Never before in my life have I been quite as free from judgement and someone else’s expectation of what I should do or become.

And in this space, where I have a studio of my own, that proverbial “Room with a view” I’ve discovered that my artwork is relevant.

To say I’m happy is an understatement. It doesn’t mean that I don’t miss my family, or TV, because both can be true. I’ve no need to minimize one, at the expense of the other…

***********************

It’s been a full 6 months since I wrote those words, since I returned home and unpacked.

I’ve benefitted from my MassMOCA experience in ways that I’m not fully capable of articulating… but I’ll paint a narrative, it’ll tell the story of a moment when my life was transformed and it will fill you with SOL 🙂

#art #massmoca #residency