What a night......not what we were expecting. Tonight was the Santa Maria Arts Council Grants Showcase, the award that Ian won in 2011. Eric & I had bought tickets weeks ago just because we wanted to see the artist's work that won this years awards. Over the course of the last several weeks, we were asked to donate a reproduction of one of Ian's pieces for the Arts Council silent auction (that was a no-brainer, we were thrilled). Then the whole process of coming under their umbrella and establishing the Ian Hassett Memorial Arts Grant evolved and they wanted to mention the formation of the Grant for next year's award show so we were told they may just mention us quickly and ask us to stand for a moment.
Ian's college teacher, Marti, took the stage, we stood as directed, then she went on to speak so eloquently and lovingly about Ian - we couldn't help but cry (and I put on full eye makeup for this thing too - dang it). It was overwhelming. Then they drew the winning ticket for Ian's drawing and the lady was thrilled. She told me later that she was standing next to Marti at the table looking at all the auction items and when she saw Ian's it "took her breath away". When she saw the title for the piece was 'Breath', she put all her tickets into his bag because she just knew she would be going home with his art. She just happened to be the founder for Hats for Hope which raises money for women undergoing cancer treatments - so it came full circle.
So, we are now a part of the Santa Maria Arts Council and what a lovely group of people. I feel Ian nudging us into a direction we wouldn't have expected and one I don't mind at all.
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