Making it Work!
Mid-September appears to have marked the beginning of one of the busiest Fall seasons I've ever been through. Beginning with an amazing, dream-like Teen Design Fair in Washington DC, co-sponsored by the FIrst Lady, where I was invited to join the 2011 Smithsonian/Cooper-Hewitt Design Award winners for a morning Q & A at the Nationl Portrait Gallery with over 400 area teens interested in design careers, followed by a fantastic four-course meal at the White House...
with First Lady, Michelle Obama. That day just could not have been better; incredible food and an inspiring speech by Mrs. Obama were topped by a delightful dollop of lunch time companionship with several entertaining people, among them...
lucky me; seated at the same, design darling and educator, Tim Gunn, who is genuinely kind and incredibly focused, as you might expect!
The days' festivities culmintated with the nicest young man - one of about 20 students chosen to join us at the White House, and seated at our table - gallantly offering me his arm as we took the long staircase down to the sidewalk in front of the WH. (In a rther dancer-like way, he barely moved his arm, but it was enough that I noticed and couldn't mistake the gesture. I told him, that was it for me and that magical day; I'd simply have to call my terrific husband and ask for a divorce! He just smiled and said, "Oh, sure, Ms. Leslie." (My own two teenage boys shall learn from this graceful, handsome young man, and believe me, I've recounted this portion of the story many times!)
I'm winding up this week with a visit to the Dallas Museum of Art for a family art demonstration, showing young kids and their families how I make some of my braille pieces, different ways they can make their own art incorporating braille if they'd like to, and ultmately, how art I view at museums and in architecture influences what I make and the way I think about what do.
Likely most of the designers, along with me and Tim Gunn, told the hundreds of teens at the Design Fair in DC, design is all around us, toucing, influencing us every moment of every day; most people just don't realize it! Art is there, too, in such open, free spaces as Dallas' Northpark Center (thanks to Ray Nasher) and outdoor sculpture, as well as museums and galleries.
Next piece (despite my inability to control and manipulate time, I'm determined!) based on this magnificent number displayed at the Renwick - one of my favorite small DC galleries. Perhaps one day I'll make a baille piece large enough to be hung in someone's gallery!Enjoy the Fall days, everyone, and remember continue referring people to join us here and on the Facebook At First Sight Braille Jewelry page for the BRAILLE CHEAT-SHEET CHALLENGE 1000, where the 1000 person to join our FB AFS community, as well as the person who referred them, will both receive a braille fashion alphabet bracelet and (added for this special mark) a sterling silver "follow your dreams" braille spin ring!
