Quilt Unveiling Photos

[Toni Johnson]

It was definitely a wonderful two days. Monika got in on Saturday night, so I went over on Sunday. I might get repetitive, can't remember what I've posted and too tired to find out! We spent an enjoyable day hanging out in Coeur d’Alene. First we stopped at the gallery I’m in to drop off a new piece, then it was lunch at Brix Restaurant where my son and his roommate joined us. It is so nice to be taken care of when we go there - one nice perk to having my son as their sous chef. We took a lovely walk along the beach at Lake Coeur d’Alene, with a stop in the park to listen to a free concert of Irish music, which made Monika feel at home (she lived in Ireland for a while). Stopped in at a few other galleries downtown and that pretty much made our day. Good food, good conversation…what more could you ask for?





Peggy got in Sunday night and called just after I got home. She had plans in the morning to do a 20 mile run on the Centennial Trail. Yes, I said a 20 mile run. Crazy woman!! Spent a lovely day yesterday with Monika and Peggy. We had lunch at the Steam Plant Grill in Spokane. The food was just alright, but the atmosphere was great, as was the company. The building was the old steam plant for Spokane and they left most of the parts from back in the day. After lunch we headed over to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital for the Glass Quilt unveiling.



We went up to the fourth floor administrative offices where we met with Kevin Benson and some others on the administrative staff and from there walked to the home of the quilt. Just outside the administrative offices, they have a sitting area, which has some lovely glass work. This is just one panel:



The walk to the location - each area of the hospital has a different theme. This area had an ocean theme, another area had kites, another bugs, etc.



This really cool bear used to reside in the corner by the window where our quilt now hangs - Cody, the Cub Scout Bear. He is sitting under a tree where he has a nice view of the quilt.





Kevin is the Director of Annual Giving and the third person that I worked with on this journey. Kevin pointed out that it took longer than anticipated to get to this point and I wanted to tell him that artists tend to work according to their own schedules. They take their freaking time!! Kevin worked very hard in the last couple of months to help make this happen, and we will continue to work together on the book and media releases.



The unveiling turned out to be very emotional for me, and I was not expecting that at all. They pulled the sheet down from the quilt and to see it hanging there for the first time was beyond words really. There were moments along the way that I just wanted to chuck it all in and say forget it. There were struggles on the board and struggles with the hospital and some days it felt a little overwhelming. But when that sheet came down, I felt this surging of pride, not for myself, but for each one of us that contributed to this quilt to make it come to fruition - each one of you should be very proud to be a part of this. I was really sad that Charles couldn't be there to see it, because he spent a lot of time coordinating with the fabricator and put a lot of effort into this project. I was also sad that more of you couldn't be there to see it in person, because the photos below won't do it justice at all.



Right about this time, when I'm overcome with emotion, Kevin asks me to say a few words. Peggy, thankfully, stepped in for me and told everyone there (there were a LOT of hospital staff there) about this almost two year journey. I keep calling it a journey, because it really was one - something that takes almost two years to come to completion can't be called a stroll in the park, after all.



We met so many people yesterday, that I can't keep them all straight. If I remember who they are and have a face shot instead of their backs, I'll point them out.





This is Peggy, with a really long last name, who is the VP/Executive Director of Administration. She is a really nice lady that I met the first time I was there. She's also a good hugger.



This beautiful lady with the closed eyes was there representing the parents of sick children. Yes, she does happen to work for the hospital, but she also had a sick child recently and she wanted to let us know how appreciated our gift to them is. I didn't get her name, unfortunately.



Kevin again with the Foundation Director. Unfortunately I can't see her name tag in any of the photos I took with her in them and I'm horrible with names. I like how Kevin is touching Barbara's tile. There was a lot of touching going on with everybody there touching and feeling the different tiles. Exactly what I was hoping for with the children.

















The only thing left was to get our parking validated, so back we went the way we came.



We went for a lovely scenic drive around Spokane. We were going to stop at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, but it was closed. Monika and I kept running into closed signs on Sunday. These were taken at the Riverside State Park swinging bridge.







Part of the scenic drive included a stop at Arbor Crest Winery, but they had just closed by the time we got there. We did get to walk around for a bit, but they were setting up for a private party and didn’t really want us there. I didn't really take many shots since we weren't there very long. It sits on on a hill overlooking the valley and river below and has a lovely vista. I did manage to take a shot of this cannon and some flowers, but I'm not gonna post the flowers. Well, not here anyway.



Off we went to Coeur d’Alene for dinner at Brix. I had asked for some recommendations for good eats and a good wine list. She gave me two options and neither sounded good, so we went to Brix instead. My son was working and treated us to appetizers - he’s such a sweetie. Good wine, good food and good conversation. It was just a great day throughout. I'll skip the Wine Cellar story and the rude waitress.



The PR department is sending out press releases to the Spokane Arts Commission and a lot of other media outlets. There will be coverage, there just wasn't anybody there for the unveiling - Kevin promised to send copies of anything that happened. Kevin and I are still coordinating with the hospital's gift shop about the book. This isn't the end of the project yet for me, but I'm rounding third. Thank you again to everyone who contributed, to Charles for your help with the frame and other advise, to Chris for the help with the glue up, to Monika and Peggy for coming all the way out here - it means a LOT, to all those who sent emails and pm's of support along the way, to all you wonderful people who contributed to my gift card (and Charles', too)- wow! That was a complete surprise!! Thank you so much and I'll be thanking you individually, as well.

If you made it all the way to the end of this, congratulations!!

[pinkcb]

Kudos to you and all the artists for donating their time and heart. When I first looked at the installation I thought "that's too high for a child to touch"...then I thought about my own little ones and I realized the best place for exploring is in the arms of a loving parent. Ergo, it's at just the right height! Well done. Thank you for sharing your photos.

[Faye Malench]

It's wonderful beyond words, Toni. Thank you (insert hug icon)

[Nicole Hanna]

WOW!!! Thanks so much Toni! The pictures are wonderful, the "quilt" looks FABULOUS! I don't blame you for being overwhelmed....I never in a million years would have thought those tiles I made would make it to a public exhibition (if I had I might have worked a little harder on them! ) You should be very proud of yourself for making this a reality because you're the one who kept driving the car in spite of all the the flat tires along the way!
Thank you so very much for your perseverance (where is spell check?), and take a break....the book can wait a little while!

Nicki

[Deb Lewis]

Toni, you have every right to be emotional. I don't know if any of us could have maintained your stamina throughout this long process. You more than anyone deserved to be there to see the unveiling. The pix are great and much appreciated.

I'm betting there will be more publicity as the book and press releases come out.
Great job!

[Lynn g]

Thank you for everything, Toni, and now for these wonderful pictures, too! I think the frame looks great and very classy. Everyone I've told about this installation thinks it's really a cool thing for us and for the hospital. I can hardly wait to show off the pictures!

[Tony Smith]

What a beautiful installation.

Thank you so much Toni and Charles for all your hard work. You really pulled this off in style.

Congratulations

Tony

[Toni Johnson]

Thanks everyone. If anyone wants pictures, let me know via PM or email (with your mailing address) and I'll send you a CD. I have few more photos than are posted.

[Morganica]

Extremely cool stuff. I sure wish I could have been there in person. And thanks, much, Toni (and Charles) for all your hard, hard work!

[Andrea R]

What an incredible journey that we all have had! Thank you Toni and Charles for your vision your work time and energy. You both made this possible. I only wished that I could have been there to be in the moment. And Toni I was crying just looking at the picture so if I had been there we would have needed a towel between us.
Andrea

[Sue Hunchuk]

I agree with the emotional stuff!!!....I was peeking at the pictures at work....didn't realize I had tears in my eyes as I was reading everything..someone asked if something was wrong....oppps....ah...no...everything is just PERFECT.....Can you imagine what we are going to be like when we recieve the book....Thanks again for all your work, sharing the pictures of your incredible day...so jealous I couldn't be there, but proud of those that were. It looks very classy! What can one say that hasn't already been said...but WHOOOO HOOOOO!... what a ride it has been....and you are almost home!....can't wait until I am on the west coast again to visit it in person.
sue

[Barb R]

Simply beautiful. I'm honored to be a participant!

Thanks so much to Toni, and to Charles and all!

Barb

[lkallen]

Toni, Charles, All
Wow, wonderful, fantastic. It brings up a lots of emotions. This one is hitting closer to home than originally thought.
Thanks for all the work.

[pshash]

Toni,

Thanks for being such a gracious host and tour guide. I just wish I had more time to spend in the area. It was very exciting to see the final result. What a great job you and Charles did! Your blog brought tears to my eyes when I first read it. I am honored to be a part of this special collaboration.

Here are a few of my photos I wanted to share.

http://picasaweb.google.com/roobagel/Gl ... Pictures02

[Joy]

Lovely installation! It looks great! I can't wait to go to Spokane and see it in person. I want to watch the children touch and feel our artwork! That would be so awesome!!!! I just know it will bring smiles to their faces!
Toni thanks for sharing the day with us all. It must've been a day you'll never forget!
Can't wait for the book!
Joy

[Janet McFadyen]

Toni and Charles all of the above has said it so much better than I can..... thank you so much for making this wonderful gift happen Janet

[twin vision glass]

I too am honoured to be a part of an organization that would take such loving care to pull people together from all over the planet and help put together a glass legacy that will span time and make people happy (expecially the children who are struggling soo) Well done and well, you are truly amazing as not alot of people would work so tirelessly for just simply kindness. I hope you can hear me clapping from here. Leslie

[Monika]

I too am honoured to be a part of an organization that would take such loving care to pull people together from all over the planet and help put together a glass legacy that will span time and make people happy (expecially the children who are struggling soo) Well done and well, you are truly amazing as not alot of people would work so tirelessly for just simply kindness. I hope you can hear me clapping from here. Leslie

Leslie, we were thinking of you and talking about you (in a very nice way ). You saw that huge bear in one of the pics above?
That's what brought you into our minds and we were wondering if your glass bear is finished yet and how big a kiln you would need to make that huge one.

You see, you are actually never far away from our thoughts and hearts.
Hugs

[twin vision glass]

Oh fiddle eh!!! he is not done yet but sits in my wax room trying desperately not to melt. Someday is looking slightly farther away for awhile, but my motto is NEVER say NEVER!!! so I guess I will just keep looking at him and patting him on the head once inwhile until I have lots of energy to tackle him. Don't give up on me Les