The Value of Demonstrating

Even though my former life as a middle/high school art and shop teacher required me to give hundreds of demonstrations over the years, I never got over the “butterflies” associated with going in front of the public to do something that held the potential of failure and embarrassment. What I gleaned from those experiences was the realization that it didn’t really matter to the outcome if I was less than stellar in my presentation. The point of the demonstration was to introduce, to educate, and that could be accomplished in a wide variety of ways, including humor that involved self-deprecation. A “what not to do” demo can be more memorable than one that goes off without a hitch.

Those lessons have not erased the anxiety associated with doing demos, but they have underscored the value of learning from others in person, rather than from a text. So, I volunteered to take a 3-hour slot at the PNWS demo kiosk recently at the Gathering of the Guilds. Member and demo organizer extraordinaire, Marlena Neilsen set up the demo booth with two stations, so there was a sense of support from a fellow member. My partner for our time slot was new member Madeleine Taney, a fellow teacher from Bellingham. She was working with clay as well, so we were able to share stories, materials and sometimes our audiences.

Our reward for being on stage could be measured by the look in the faces of folks that stopped by to watch. Most if not all of us have gotten into sculpture by having a personal contact with a sculptor or watching someone working at it. It takes the craft out of the world of magic and makes it real. 

I encourage all our members to consider stepping up to do a demo of your work, your process, your tools or whatever you have to share about your story in sculpture. This is a great way to support our organization’s commitment to educate. This summer we have a number of opportunities to present: The upcoming Troutdale Art Festival, the Vancouver Art and Music Festival and Art in the Pearl. Look for dates and contact info on our website calendar.