UNVEILING THE DRAGON

The dragon is not always a symbol of fierceness. The Lakota people consider the dragon a symbol of retreat; to journey inward to your own center of peace and quiet. Sharon Armstrong is a psychologist who does art work with her patients. Her strength is in mask making. For years she has taught people to make their own faces in a mask.  It helps people clarify who they are and where they are going. Working on it provides them a kinship with themselves and others. But, for the Burning Man, held the Monday before Labor Day each year in the desert, Sharon built a 23 foot tall dragon. Sharon returned home and erected it in her mother's garden at the Center for Creativity and Community in San Andreas. 

The dragon's name is Uncegila and is surrounded by a labyrinth. The unveiling was held Sunday and people came to walk the labyrinth and visit the Center, the Gallery, housed in a 100 year old restored barn, and the Garden.

Sharon, on the left, with Madalaine Krska, showed everyone around the Center which came about in an unusual way. Her mother, Floy, heard Sharon on a television interview comment that she wished she could found a Center for Creativity and Community. Floy decided right then and there that she could make that come true. Floy took her rental at 23 West St. Charles Place in San Andreas, and is helping her daughter  transform the building into a non-profit Community Center. There is space for art work, teaching ceramics, photography, creative writing, video, painting, drawing, mask making and music.  Their vision is to provide a gathering place for people of all ages to explore and express their unique creativity regardless of their ability to pay.

 The Center is just getting started, but classes have already underway. Nanette Klass teaches drawing.

Ruth Nicols teaches harp and Tai Chi.

Floy's vegetable and flower garden was planted by area children.

 Sharon teaches mask making; and her husband, George, teaches landscape painting.

But you don't have to be an artist to enjoy the center. My brother Bill, above, joined me and walked the labyrinth around the dragon. Eventually, the gazebo with a fountain and picnic area will be open to the public. The lovely Victorian House can hold an audience of 30 people for performance events. Two sound proof rooms allow people quiet space for writing or music lessons.

Or, like me, you can lie in the hammock and relax and contemplate the dragon from afar. The website is:  http://www.center4creativity.net/

THE FUTURE GENERATION

Jim's grandson Eric, turned thirteen, on the eleventh. The mighty "Casey" couldn't blow his candles out. (Eric is an avid ball player and fan.) Of course, some of the candles were the type that don't go out, a set-up by Mom, Wendy.
We helped him celebrate by having dinner earlier in the evening at Harbor Seal, then home for cake, ice cream and presents. Typical, I suspect. Some things never seem to change.

Sports items dominated the scene, with this grand Mets sweatshirt, official baseball shoes, and shorts. The Mets happen to be his favorite team.

The kids are wonderful together, loving and playful with each other. They all appear to be best friends. Its nice to see and feel your future is in good hands with the next generation coming up...except...its hard to understand how tied they are to their phones, like the device is a body part.

  Jaime had on her two inch heels for the evening and stood up to brother Eric, and measured. You see that cord hanging from his ear? I think its music and phone all tied in together. Parents have to say, "...text you'll contact her later..."  SOME things do change.
I guess we used to scare our parents into thinking the world was coming to an end with our music and dance and cigarettes and haircuts. And, we turned out pretty well.

Yesterday was a work day. Jaime had never been for a ride in a motor home, so she went with us to get propane, empty the tanks and fill with water. All a bit of a revelation to her, as we prepare to leave Ivoryton. Jocelyn and I picked berries a couple days ago, so Jaime and I decided to go for a pick-your-own peaches, but the trees were practically stripped. What we bought was quite luscious though, a variety I'd never heard of and promptly forgot. Then we went to the recycling center.

 Then later, since the weather was blessedly cool, we went for a nice bike ride to town and back.

While downtown we checked out this clever sculpture. Its a face entirely made up from numbers one through ten.

There aren't many places to shop in Ivoryton for a kid, but Jaime likes Gathers, an antique store that also has candy and ice cream. She got her candy bar and we called it a day.

SCULPTURE WALK OF IVORYTON

Yesterday, in opposition to Jim's advice, I decided to brave the heat and humidity and take the "sculpture walk" yesterday afternoon.  I mentioned the Ivoryton Theater as a community treasure, and it is. Ivoryton also has Bennies, a wonderful Organic Market; bike trails, nice restaurants, good schools, beauty, history and a great arts community-the quality of life ammenities we think about when we choose were to live.
The bike trail follows the main route through town where we've been admiring the roadside sculpture collection as we drive by. I decided to park the Bronco and walk it rather than bike since the heat was so oppressive. 

This piece is made from welded reinforcing rods and stands about three feet tall. It casts fascinating shadows, depending on the time of day.

 A carved stone with a cat theme sits atop a pedestal I liked very much.  I could have gotten the program for this project from the Cultural Arts Center, but, just hadn't gotten around to it when I decided to take my walk. There are about 30 numbered pieces in the collection and I know nothing about the artists.

 This triple headed bronze stands about five feet tall. I enjoyed these pieces driving by and one thing I learned is that sculptures need to be sizeable to be enjoyed from a distance, and most of this collection qualifies.

 My favorite was this metal piece, intriguing because as you pass it, you can never quite decide if it looks more like a fish, or a face?  It changes as you move. Quite the accomplishment for the artist to trick the eye.

I didn't care much for this piece until I was on foot and took a closer look. It is of stone and may be lovers or perhaps Adam and Eve since it sits in front of a church.  Again, the necessity to see and decipher from the roadway is an essential for this type of art.

 I didn't photograph all of the pieces, some didn't interest me at all. During my sweaty walk, I appreciated the lovely gardens, restful spots,  and the river that flows through town. I would have liked to photograph some beautiful churches, but it was impossible to get back far enough to take them without intruding on someone's property.    
For about 30 more photos, click the link below and visualize my walk on the bike lane.
http://picasaweb.google.com/1579penn/71710IVORYDwntwn#