With sincere gratitude I want to thank Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series, Russell and Danny Simmons from the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Andre Guichard, Bombay Sapphire National Curator, Chris Davies, Founder of Fabrik Media and Justin Giarla owner of Shooting Gallery in San Francisco, CA, for allowing me the opportunity to be a Semi-Finalist in the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Art Competition.

When I received my acceptance notification I was dumbfounded. My first reaction was “Who Were The Judges? I know the art I’ve been trying to promote but I needed to remind myself what they saw and question what did they see that inspired them to choose me as a semi finalist.

Thank you gentlemen for giving me the opportunity to come out of the closet.

After 2 years in storage, my family and I re-surfaced the 14 panels, dusted them off and were able to hang one panel “2012 - Wag the Dog” at the Shooting Gallery in San Francisco. Friday October 30th was the opening reception. I felt delighted to be around so many creative people and appreciate the many friends that came to share the experience.

During this summer (2015) I started researching galleries and museums that would consider showing my work. The time feels right for bringing “American History 2000 – 2012” forward for public viewing.

The obstacles about the series “American History 2000 – 2012” I felt related to size. There are 14 panels that cover over 300 square feet. Side by side they are 70’ wide. I asked Justin Giarla from the Shooting Gallery if he had suggestions on how to move this series forward. His response was honest. “Galleries don’t like to display political work”.

This shocked me. I’ve been told my series is political before. Each time I hear this I have a strong internal reaction. I don’t get it. I feel “American History 2000 – 2012” is a social and cultural interactive art representation of what we (the people) witnessed the first 12 years of this 21st century. If it’s political exposing images and words that were mass projected at us what does this mean?

What I’ve witnessed watching people view the panels is that they remember where they were when key events happened and start remembering and telling their stories. It’s an amazing experience to witness.

“Taking It To The Streets” I’m inspired by words I read about Danny Simmons. With his brother Russell Simmons they established the Rush Philanthropic Arts. Their foundation was born out of a need to secure exhibitions for artists that galleries weren’t supporting.

The morning after the opening I laid in bed looking at my husband. When his eyes opened and he smiled back at me I said “I have to take it to the streets”. His response was “I know”.

My husband taught me at the beginning of our relationship (32 years) that if I want to talk to him about a problem, I needed to also think about a solution first.

The past two years I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. There are so many compounded, interconnecting issues that it feels helpless, but it isn’t. There are solutions.

One of the problems is that we are consistently being told that we are divided.

The terminology needs to be turned around.

Accept the fact that our worlds have broadened and we are becoming more united as a planet and a species. It’s important to honor our social and cultural diversities. It feels critical that we communicate with each other and acknowledge what we have in common, so we can make conscious decisions based on the future of our children.

Why this is important! Look how much the world has changed this century. Where are we headed? Decisions are being made that choreograph our future. American Democracy represents Corporate Globalization. I have questions I want to ask “How did this happen and what does this mean for our future”.

I also want to listen. I want to hear what people are saying as they think about their recent history and question issues that affect their nation and local communities.

This happened recently. I listened to a woman question a key issue and felt OH! but theirs so much more, how do we tackle it all, when I told my self to listen and heard how deep her concerns were. It was real and powerful. Immediately I wanted to document her and start making a data base.

Is it possible, taking “American History 2000 – 2012” on the road, could help be a vehicle to unite people and give them a voice?

With a political election on the horizon people need to remember what happened and look for positive solutions.

Wish me luck!