Today is Thanksgiving, so many of you will be busy with family or celebrations you may not read the paper today.
When the world news is filled with divisiveness, disasters, floods, hurricanes, wars and more, sometimes we need a break to stop feeling depressed and to help us focus on the positive. There are many examples like the fun everyone had at the Oktoberfest luncheon at Civic Square on Oct. 9.
It was fifty-five years ago on Oct. 9 that I emigrated to Canada with my two young daughters, which has turned into a major positive.
For me if I feel sad and downhearted, I turn to nature, to gardening, or art, listening to classical music or jazz, reading a good book, and connecting with friends. These are my positives and today I am thankful for all of them.
We have many original paintings in our home, probably too many, but to me empty walls are for hanging art so if there is space there is room for another. A few of them are my own paintings but most of them are from others.
I like to have my art on other people’s walls and their art on mine. Our paintings are by local artists, or people I know. They all bring pleasure.
Different paintings evoke different emotions. They might remind me of places I’ve been or places I’d like to visit. Perhaps some recall my childhood or special times, and the favourites vary depending on mood, or appreciation of the artist’s work, but each of them was chosen for a reason. They bring a little bit of that person into our home.
This coming Saturday, Oct. 19, is the opening reception of the annual Cambridge Juried Art Show at the Centre for the Arts.
This is an excellent place to visit to see the prolific and varied arts scene of Cambridge residents. It includes all visual arts disciplines, acrylic, fabric arts, jewelry, oils, pastels, pencil drawings, pottery, photography, watercolours, woodwork and more.
Just imagine the difficulty of being the juror of this; selecting from well over twice as many pieces as can be displayed in the gallery. The task of selecting from each discipline alone is tough, but then having to choose.
Emerging artists often hesitate to enter for fear of rejection, although rejection is always part of the arts scene as it is so subjective, one that appeals to me may not appeal to you at all. Not to be included does not signify failure. Someone else may love your work, but it’s always fun to go and hear why the juror chose certain pieces.
Over the years I have learned a lot by listening to jurors’ remarks. It is not always the most talented who get selected, but it could be one that makes a strong statement, that evokes emotion, that brings a different perspective, perhaps one that makes us reflect on life or reminds us of a good time in our own life.
The reception and the opening remarks begin at 1 p.m. Consider attending to see which ones you like; you might even find a painting to buy as a Christmas gift.
We need distractions from all the negatives these days, check out the “What’s happening” in CambridgeToday to see what intrigues you.
I am certainly thankful this weekend for our community, compared with much of the world with unexpected weather patterns, wars, anger and hate, we are fortunate to live in a comparatively safe and scenic area, and if you do read this I hope you had a Thanksgiving for which to be thankful.
