Today is another spectacularly beautiful spring day in Nashville. It also happens to be May Day, Election Day, and the day before the Big Payback, a statewide event in Tennessee that encourages philanthropy to your favorite causes and non-profits.
Here's a cheerful offering of little bouquet from my spring garden.
May Day is a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Dances, singing, and cake are usually part of the festivities. It's earliest celebrations (according to Wikipedia) appeared with the Floralia, festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. Here's to all that wonderfulness!
And we all know the power of the vote during Election Day. It's a privilege to do so!
And then there's the Big Payback. It's a really big deal for TN non-profits. A community-wide, 24-hour online giving challenge hosted by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, this charitable event will help area nonprofits raise much-needed dollars and bring awareness to pressing needs in our community. During 2017's 24-hour campaign, $2,598,701 was raised! Wow!
In light of The Big Payback's endeavors, I'm also celebrating one of my favorite local non-profits, Turnip Green Creative Reuse. Founded by my dear and humble friend Kelly Tipler, TGCR has diverted over 165 tons of reusable materials from the landfill! They have done this while providing 4 areas of service: a retail donate what you wish ($) store, education/outreach, artist support, and a green gallery. It provides a welcoming and neutral place for artists, educators, and any creative person to connect.
If you donate during the Big Payback to TGCR which begins at midnight tonight, you are helping to support all the good work that TGCR will continue to do. You will also be on the list of the first to see the brand spanking new logo we are creating for TGCR. Stay tuned for more details and other special events!
In other news
In case you haven't caught it on my social media channels: I'm super honored, hopeful and excited to have work in the Pattern Observer's collection that's going to SURTEX this May 20-22! If you've been watching my journey the past three plus years, you've possibly noticed some of the pattern exploration among other things that have been developed. If you're a buyer or know someone who is going to SURTEX, send them to booth #2846 and tell them I sent you!
Lastly, you may notice that I've again changed my web site in an effort to find a cleaner way to present the multi-faceted offerings from Studio Haus. I hope you'll spend some time here and share any feedback you'd like to offer. I will also be working on mailing lists so please drop me a line and let me know if you'd like to hear more about projects and happenings. And please share what's going on with you as well! Thanks for staying in touch and letting me share what I love to do!