Art Show Receptions

Otherwise known as a dignified place to meet some pretty kooky (and cool) people.

I love artists. So many of them have such interesting lives. They draw on their experiences and interpret the world around them in a way no one else can.

The flavor of an art show reception is an interesting one. At first, you look around and see almost everyone is dressed in semi-formal attire, but then you begin to talk to the people.

For instance, I sat down with a woman named Ola at the art reception I went to last night. I had met her before, but we hadn't talked much. I sat down next to her and her husband, Jack, and suddenly the conversation began to flow. I love hearing about people's lives directly from the source. I am transported to the time and place they are talking about effortlessly. Ola is an artist who has been married to Jack for 59 years! I found this out after she asked me how long my boyfriend and I have been together. I replied "Four," quite proudly. I laughed at myself when she responded with her impressive number. She told me all about her life from the time she first got married to Jack, who was a marine and a police officer. They had to move all over the country, due to his occupations. Ola told me about riding on the back of a motorcycle with Jack driving and their three year old daughter sandwiched between them. Her story held my attention captive the whole time she spoke.

As the assistant to the Arts Leader for the gallery I work at, I stood behind her as she delivered a few announcements to the crowd of artists and friends. I love coming to the receptions because it provides a chance for me to dress up a little. I bring my boyfrined with me for stability (like when I wore my 5 inch high heels) and support (when I am supposed to make an announcement and I have to look out at the crowd). I like interacting with the artists and I enjoy all the lovely dishes they bring to share with the crowd. This time I ate one of my favorites, a devilled egg! I walk around the rooms, showing the artwork and commenting on it with whomever walks up to me.

Before working for the gallery, I worked at the front desk of my town's city hall. I answered phones, took down complaints, accepted utility bill payments (glamorous, right?), and called up groups of people with important messages. I was as shy as could be when I first started that job. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to work there, because I am much better at "letting my smile show throught my voice" and just talking to people in general.

In every established society, art exists. When the need for survival is met, people can focus on more intellectual and beautiful things. I love being in the middle of all of this. I meet so many interesting people and see so many beautiful pieces of art. I am very rarely unhappy when I leave for work because I know that there is always something different to do every day I go in. My only regret is leaving the beautiful outdoors. I usually end up having it recreated indoors, though, so I can't miss it too much.

I could be...

When I was a child and I was asked what I wanted to be, I never replied "an astronaut" or "a rockstar" or "a star soccer player." I replied "a teacher" or "a librarian" or, even for a brief time "a veterenarian."

I have a little more experience under my belt, now, and I am at a point in my life where I have to make tough life-altering decisions. I could be...

A LAWYER. Yes, it is a lot of schooling, but if you got into the right field, you could make a difference in the world, or your wallet.

A MODEL. I am 5'8" and fairly thin, so I figure I could probably hold my own in the beginning round of America's Next Top Model. I am no Amazonian beauty, though. I am tall for a girl, but average for a model. I figure that being a model would be a temporary side job, not really a career, as beauty usually fades with age.

A MUSEUM CURATOR. My passion is for European history, stretching from the early Renaissance to present day. I love the personalities involved in Europe's and France's and Spain's and Germany's histories, along with many other notable countries. My main love is art, but I find the stories just as interesting.

A PHYSICIST. Though I am not very passionate about physics, I understand it and I can handle the formulas with some level of proficiency. This option, too, leaves much learning to be done.

A COPY EDITOR. One subject I excel at is English. I read through things and tic off mistakes as I read. I can make it through a book of nearly any size in under a day at about 100 pages an hour. I devour books and I love to read. Maybe this has something to do with my love of history.

A COMPUTER EXPERT. Though I am no expert now, by any means, I understand how a computer basically works and I can navigate my way through most any program. At the moment I am trying to teach myself Microsoft Office 2010 Access. I can quickly work my way through the different options and commands of a program. I have no experience in actually writing programs, though, so I would definately need to focus on that before claiming to be an expert in any sense of the word.

I have so many options ahead of me, it is mind-boggling. Other opportunities bombard me all the time. I could be a writer, a chemist, a curator of a modern art gallery, a business owner, an artist, a fashion designer. I wish I could pick just one and know I made the choice I will love for life. How can I choose?