Prelude Opening Reception

I've heard at least six new musicians and bands in the last week. I turned off my usual Pandora station and let the sound from the CD player that looks more like a 1999 boom box reach my desk just outside the main gallery here at the Center for the Arts. Classical, Reggae, and even Hipster music (though the Gallery Director here has been listening to those bands FOREVER). I heard it all. While Robin, Marja, and Jessica painted walls and hammer nails and leveled artwork, I typed away at my computer, secretly wishing that I was hanging art.

I started working at the Center during the last exhibition, Domestic Neon, so this week was my first installation and opening. It was also one of my favorite moments this summer (other than graduating college and actually accepting this position, that is). My event anxiety got the best of me, and I showed up at the Center 15 minutes early on the night of the reception for our latest exhibitions, Prelude to Open Studios and Articles of Consideration by Elaine Dillingham. Soon, men in ties and women in dresses arrived with food and drinks and nametags. I forgot most of their names immediately and regretfully. I quickly realized that most of them had art in the exhibition.

It was overwhelming, but it was also an incredible honor to meet so many talented and hardworking artists. Some featured in the exhibition make their living through the artwork, but many work fulltime elsewhere. It is incredible how much passion each artist has regardless of how they pay their mortgage. They reminded me why this Center is important - why ART is important.

I made the fatal error of wearing my high heals the entire night, so my feet didn't feel as good as I did driving away from the Center. But miraculously I didn't spill any wine on my white dress, so I'd say the evening was a success.



Coconino Center for the Arts is open 11:00am-5:00pm Tuesday-Saturday. Visit culturalpartners.org/exhibtions.htm or call (928) 779-2300 for more information on our current exhibitions.