What would Aunt Theresa think? Here I was curled up in a sleeping bag on the hard ground of a country hill just before dawn. I recalled how comforting Aunt Theresa’s feather bed was after my sister Jean and myself spent a day romping in the summer fields with our next-door cousins. Our vacation could not have been better. It was a humorous half-awake question that came to mind as I opened my eyes and remembered what brought me here to this hard ground.
The Falls City Community Art Gallery, Inc. was a non-profit organization that promoted the works of local artists and craftsmen living in the Louisville, Kentucky area. As Executive Gallery Director I wore many hats and planned many programs. At the time, Bob Sacra managed the Oxmoor Shopping Center and I was part of Bob’s team that helped originate the Prospect Point Art Show. Helping exhibitors find their spot as they arrived was the good morning hat I wore as vehicles were jockeyed into position for unloading and exhibitors preparing their booth areas.
It takes time, effort, and good equipment to set up an outdoor art exhibition. Setup is intense, but once a booth is arranged exhibitors can relax and enjoy their show. Just don’t interfere with said exhibitor by moving a booth spot from last year’s location or fail to be able to tell an exhibitor just where that booth is!
When the Prospect Show was changed from the Shopping Center to farther out Highway 42 to its scenic hillside location, I went with it. The previous day our group measured and laid out the booth area with stakes in preparation for the Show that was to be held that last weekend in September.
I had prepared to stay in my tent for the weekend because I knew we would finish staking the booth areas late and it would take several hours for me to set up my own booth after that. Driving forty miles home and coming back at 6:00 a.m. seemed senseless when there were shower facilities in the lodge on the grounds and guards to provide security.
You wake up bone tired after completing a booth set up and I struggled out of my sleeping bag at dawn. Stretching to check reflexes as well as thoughts, I opened the front of my tent and faced a foggy country morning that I will never forget. Looking downhill I gazed for a few moments at a scene that almost transported me to another time in Kentucky’s history. There, framed against a background of trees was a teepee with smoke curling out of the top cross poles. The aroma of bacon hung on the country air to complete the memorable panorama.
This was my introduction to Richard Luce, the noted American Western artist. While I slept, Richard had erected the teepee in his booth area and brought to life for me a morning that I take great pleasure in recalling.
From Aunt Theresa’s feather bed to a hard Prospect Hill had been a long journey. Finding delight in each is perhaps what prepared me for sleeping on various floors, couches, cots, and beds that were in a clouded mist beyond that Prospect Hill. In any case, I have learned that I do not need all the comforts of home to be at home. Just wake up, stretch, close my eyes, see a teepee, and smell the bacon!
“Thanks, Richard!! I can handle the world!!”