Home & Garden Show Reflections

Having some time for reflection on the PNWS participation in the recent Home and Garden Show, I am ever mindful of the key reason that we members are drawn into our organization: we have so much more potentiality as a group than we could ever have individually as sculptors. For myself, the opportunity to show my work is key to my commitment to the group, and like many members, I have explored the long and winding road to gallery patronage with less than positive feelings and results. The recent show at the Expo Center is an example of the commercial gallery alternative. Our wonderful gallery set amidst the hot tubs, gazebos and solar panel kiosks was the perfect example of taking our art to the public, to the delight of our sponsors, the Homebuilders Association. 

Gallerys are struggling to survive in our culture as are shopping malls and a plethora of “institutions” we used to think as solid. Though online galleries seem to be thriving, many of us are not finding that path fulfilling or desirable. I witnessed the real world exchange between the public and our members’ artwork throughout all four days of the H&G Show. I saw first hand the admiration, attention, respect and joy of folks wandering from sculpture to sculpture having a real world experience with the creations of our members. It was a powerful reminder that art is transformative, and we humans thrive on seeing it, doing it, discussing it, living it. 

Though the hours of commitment were taxing, the constant resupply of members showing up for their shifts, and the many who showed up for the heavy lifting of set-up and breakdown were a reminder that it requires team effort to put our work in front of the public.