The Steel Days Art Show

Years ago, the kids and I entered our artwork into the Steel Days Art Show as a way to participate the the city wide celebration.  We all won something, and the ladies in charge were quick to ask me who I was and what was my background in art.  They were thrilled to find out that I teach art to elementary school aged students and were soon asking me to teach city arts council sponsored children's art classes.  I have agreed to do so from time to time, since it isn't difficult and makes for a nice little side income.

A few years ago, I helped some with registration.  Before I knew it, I was asked to be the Adult Division Director (notice the capital letters?  Don't worry, it gets worse!).  When I agreed, that apparently put me on the city arts council.  Who knew?

So, last year, I ran the Adult Division.  That wasn't too bad.  I did my thing, then went home.  I wasn't able to enter that year, because it felt inappropriate when I was in charge of the division.

The woman who ran the show last year is named Heidi.  She has small children and really stressed out about it all last year.  She said she didn't want to do it again, but there was no one else to do it.  Here is where I open mouth and insert insanity.  I said, "I'll be 'in charge' if you run it with me... so we'll both do it... I'll just take the spearhead so your husband won't freak out."  That was one of her complaints, that her husband begrudged the time away from the family.  So not a problem around here.

Here we are in 2010.  I didn't know when I told her I'd step in that it involved Steel Days Committee meetings every month ALL YEAR.  AND arts council meetings each month ALL YEAR.  Oi!

Still, it didn't get intense until just a week before show time.  I will not give you a blow by blow, because that would be tedious.  Instead, I will just say that I completely understand why judges dole out community service as a punishment in the criminal justice system.  HA!

It was hard to get volunteers, though most of them did a fantastic job.  It was the regular arts council members who were the most frustrating.  These ladies are so right brained that I think their left brains are in a permanent coma!  Grrr!  Yet they were all volunteers and council members, so I couldn't tell them to go home.  I had to just follow in their wake, trying to minimize the damage they caused.

The show was smaller this year than last, by half!  Last year there were over 500 entries.  This year there were just over 250.  I think it was because Steel Days got moved to the week immediately following Independence Day.  The federally observed holiday was the 5th, so we couldn't start registration until Tuesday, the 6th.  The carnival blocked off the road to set up in the park next door (as they do every year), so many people couldn't get back to the library.

Still, it was a good show, and had very few glitches.  At least, there were less than last year.

A man came to me during registration and asked to speak to me privately.  He said that he and his wife had fallen on hard times and were both unemployed.  He then asked if I would be willing to waive the entrance fee for his wife's artwork and in exchange, he would volunteer in as many ways as I needed him.  I said 'yes'.  The statues above are his wife's artwork.  She was the only sculpture in the Experienced Adult division, so she won First Place.

The High School Division.  At least, part of it.

This sculpture was made by a young man named Danny Russon.  He graduated from High School this year and is planning to attend BYU in the fall on scholarship.  He won Best of Show in the Youth Division, First Place in HS sculpture, and People's Choice in the Youth Division.  A tall and shy seeming young man.

This is Helena's entry in the HS B/W photo category.  In the background on the right, you can just make out a red Second Place ribbon hanging on another of her photos in the Digital Art category.  Mom, can you recognize the image?  It is West Beach Resort!

Now it is over and there are just a few last details to tend to.  It is time to turn my attention to moving my classroom.  And helping Helena get her license.  And overseeing Helena and Will's summer online courses.  And Will's merit badge.  And Helena's Honors English packet and readings.  And the yard and garden.  And exercise.

I am glad life is so busy!  It makes me feel alive and useful!  The kids probably don't see it that way.  They probably think I am meddlesome and a nag.  But I like to be of help to them.  I hope they will continue to let me.