The art show

My sister Emily had an art show – her first – at Ephemera, a darling stationery, etc. shop in Des Moines’ East Village last Friday night.  The show, in a word: successful.  We were thrilled by the outpouring of support by some of our closest and oldest friends and relatives, and humbled & honored by the presence of new friends, too.  It was so much fun. 

The woman of honor.

And now a word about our gal, Em.  Over the years, I’ve seen her give and give generously.  She pours her heart into paintings for others and often gives them away.  I can’t even count the number of times she’s been there for me when I’ve needed or asked for help with graphics or artistic input.  She simply uses her gifts and talents to enrich the lives of others, leaving herself out.  It’s just the kind of a person she is.

This art show was really no different.  I cannot even guess how many hours she poured into this project as a whole, even at the cost of sleep, her body sore from continuous hours of painting.  And all without profiting monetarily.  That’s pretty remarkable.

Hero: party of one!

In another important way, the show was successful in terms of the number of paintings that sold: 68!  That means that only four of the 72 did not sell in that first three hours.  As far as I know, those four paintings are still available from Ephemera.  Emily’s art will be displayed through the end of July.

Scoping the art… and swooping quickly to get the choice pieces.

Here’s one that sold quickly.

The art was intoxicating.  Just ask this couple.

I think I had as much fun as Emily, visiting with everyone, meeting her friends I’d previously known by name only.

Emily with one set of g’rents.

My uncle David had control over the Jace situation.  My mother-in-law accompanied me to the show, and more importantly rescued me by taking the older boys when their patience ran out, approximately ten minutes after arriving.  Thank you, Jan!

People waiting in line to checkout.  Here’s a view of the main part of the store, where there are great & pretty things for sale.  Ephemera also holds classes in the back of the store.  It made a lovely reception area, as well.

Emily’s high school art teacher (pictured above and below) even came!

A moment.

The Warhawk.  Art inspires art, after all.

I know how much work this whole show was to produce.  Acknowledging that fact, I still hope Emily does this again sometime after she gets good and rested and forgets how much work it was.  Hey!  That’s kind of like childbirth.  You forget the pain and then want to do it again, eventually.

And maybe next time the beneficiary can be, oh, I don’t know – her student loan relief fund?