Some members of the Wellesley Women Artisans.Photo by Kate Flock for Wicked Local.
I've talked before about a local artist group I co-founded a year ago: the Wellesley Women Artisans. We've continued to meet regularly since then, coalescing into a wonderful group of amazing women. Last month we gathered on Crystalle's back patio for an evening of making mono prints. We installed a window display in a vacant storefront in town. We are planning a public art experience for Wellesley in the coming year that I'm really excited about. And today there is a feature article about us in the Wellesley Townsman, our local newspaper.
I have worked alone in my studio for many years, and I love it. I have a million ideas and projects and I can happily be by myself all day. My network of fellow artists and makers has been, until now, entirely online. One of the wonderful things about the internet is that is has allowed me to find those people around the world who do exactly what I do: people who care deeply about and are totally fascinated by designing sewing patterns for plush toys.
I'm not going to find that locally and for this reason the online craft community has been incredibly nourishing. But there is something to be said for the nourishment that can come from face-to-face meetings with other women artists who live right here in town. They are painters, potters, photographers, illustrators, and makers of all kinds. We are all balancing art with motherhood and we have a lot to share with one another.
Cheers to the Wellesley Women Artisans! We have great things ahead of us!