Hope you are all having a good start to your year...things have been a bit slow for the arts, but we are hopeful for this coming Year of the Tiger...the economic challenges have forced us to really take a good look at our business model and the systems we have in place. The challenges have also given us a great opportunity to grow and think creatively. We've had to cut back our staffing costs, so Karen is on "furlough" right now and Kelly is part-time. Karen's still busy as ever though, working at Zippy's and now at the Zoo gift shop part-time (not to mention spending lots of time with the grandkids). Pepper (and Kelly) are cute as ever!
And while the gallery has presented us with some challenges this past year, 2010 is looking quite promising and exciting. I have been working with a committee to promote "Slow Art Fridays" in the Honolulu Arts District. This slower paced alternative to First Friday is every third Friday of the month. We've gotten a lot of great press and I was even on the news for a couple of morning shows. The momentum continues to grow and I'm confident that it will prove to be another successful monthly event for the area. Some of the restaurants are even beginning to do "Slow Art" menu specials and drinks! You all should come down for a Peg's Legs Slow Art Adventure...it is much more relaxed than First Friday and a really enjoyable night out.
I am also excited to share that I have just been elected as President of the Arts District Merchants Association! I am serving with 2 vice presidents - Dave Stewart (Du Vin, Bar 35, Bambu 2.0) and Sandy Pohl (Louis Pohl Gallery), treasurer is Phuong Tran of Art Treasures Gallery, and secretary is Jackie Walden from Chinatown Boardroom. ADMA is basically an organization comprised of all the merchants in the area...the job comes with some work and challenges, but I am excited for the opportunity to support and positively impact the arts district!
Eric and the kids are doing great. Indy is our little artist - she is absolutely PASSIONATE about creating. She loves art class and her art teacher...we enrolled her in an extracurricular art class at her school and she couldn't be happier. In fact, Indy's class in going to have an art show at our gallery in March. It kicks off March Slow Art Friday, so save the date!
Elroy just got back from DC doing more advocacy work for the ALS Association. He also did his usual stopover in SF to visit family. He brought back a t-shirt for Sawyer from DC that said, "Future Member of U.S.Congress"!
Maka and Cola are doing great. Cola has turned out to be the coolest cat I've ever met. She is so smart! If I don't get up early enough to feed her, she comes in and turns on my clock radio with her paw! How crazy is that?! She did get into quite a bit of trouble the other day, though...Indy had a little chrysalis in a bug jar and was waiting patiently for it to transform...she even named it "Franklin" and took it to show and tell.
So the other day, Franklin turned into a butterfly. Eric was about to put it in bigger container but when he came back Cola was attacking it on the ground. She completely shredded its bright orange little butterfly wings. Poor thing. It was like, "Hello World!" and then SWAT!!!
Needless to say, Indy was quite upset. We had a good cry and then gave Cola a time-out. Though, as Eric reminded us, it is her "nature". I found 2 more chrysalis that same night by our mailbox, so Indy named them "Bob" and "Frankin 2"...and the circle of life continues...
Love to you all and hope you have a fabulous day...come down and visit us! Slow Art Friday is February 19th...oh and Happy Valentine's Day!!!!
