My day job consists of coordinating and curating traveling exhibitions and creating publicity materials at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, WY. I’m really fortunate to do something I enjoy and work with wonderful people.

Recently, we hosted Journey Stories, a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian that is touring through Wyoming with the support of the Wyoming Humanities Council. To supplement the exhibition, we created our first public art project with the help of artist Georgia Rowswell. The project consisted of 25 Life Rings, created by participants at two workshops and at home, if needed. Based on dendrochronology, Georgia developed the concept of Life Rings, which are created using textiles with personal meaning, cutting them, and shaping them into a piece resembling the cross section of a tree. Participants also wrote stories to go with their Life Rings that were exhibited next to each ring and will be featured in a photo book to be published soon.

I worked with Georgia for nearly two years to bring this project to fruition and was happy to be able to participate in the workshops and create a Life Ring. It was a unique creative experience. The photo is of my Life Ring, and here’s my story:

If the threads of my chair cushion covers could talk…

…they would whisper stories they overheard as people sat on them.

Stories of birthdays, homework, games, laughter, tears, love and loss.

Stories of mundane conversations about daily life.

Stories of intense discussions over the meaning of life.

Stories of quiet talks about cancer and the end of life.

Stories of comfort, stories of joy.

Breakfast, lunch, supper.