River of Words

I forgot that when a large venue offers ticketing over their website you should generally take advantage of it because there's probably a good reason for it. Joe and I decided to head to the Georgia Aquarium Saturday. The weather was great! It was a nice treat to walk about on a warm, sunny day since it has rained most of this month. Everyone else thought this was a good idea because all of Atlanta and its tourists were at the Aquarium too. Luckily we didn't have a very long wait to get inside. I forgot my camera (not a good sign I thought) and believed all was lost, but Joe said he would take pictures with his phone. He saved the day!

When we got inside we began our search. Where is the painting? First we walked around a few exhibits. Nothing. We asked information. They had never heard of River of Words and simply directed me toward another exhibit. The Aquarium was wonderful! Beautiful moon jellies, spider crabs and beluga whales. I was beginning to think that the display was taken down. Then Joe asked about the River of Words display to two Aquarium employees outside the Ocean Voyager exhibit. I'm sorry that I didn't get the woman's name, but she agreed to take us to the display, which was in the Learning Loop, an area that is generally off limits unless you pay for a behind the scenes tour or are participating in their educational programing. She got us in for free! I got to see my painting again. It was an enlarged copy of the original painting, but it was the first thing you saw when you opened the doors to the River of Words display. I squealed! I don't generally squeal when I'm happy, but I was so overwhelmed.

And here is the painting! Well a copy of the painting.

As it Flows, acrylic on illustration board, 1998

My Dad helped me name the painting and he was the one that told me to enter the contest. So listen to your parents they'll help you win stuff sometimes. Thanks Dad! I was the National finalist for my age group and won a trip to Washington, D.C. where I met Robert Haas, U. S. Poet Laureate.

Thanks for the pictures Joe!!

It is very overwhelming to know that my art is on display as a tool to teach kids about watersheds and The River of Words program. It was also great seeing all the art and poetry from other past winners too. So cool! Thanks also to Ingrid! She told me about the display at the Georgia Aquarium.