Routinely Yours
November 12, 2020 - By Joy Reed Belt
Never have I thought of myself as a person with a lot of routines, or thought I particularly enjoyed routines. WRONG! Recently I have realized that only in my dreams am I a free-wheeling spontaneous soul. Reflecting on my life and lifestyle, I realize that I am, and always have, been a creature of habit and routine. At my age that’s good to know.
The most consistently troubling loss I have experienced in these last months has been the loss of routine. Staying safe and protecting others has meant that I change the way I have always done things, as well as, not doing many of the things I have always enjoyed. Those daily losses have been stressful, and stress is cumulative. For several years now I have taken weekly Pilates lessons and looked forward to them and relished the mental and physical benefits. I considered those lessons “My Time." Several months ago, when the Mayor asked us all to shelter in place, my Pilates lessons were canceled. Oh, how I missed them. No amount of exercising at home gave me my “fix.” Ultimately, my thoughtful instructor developed a protocol that allows me to enjoy private lessons in a safe environment.
For those of you who are not familiar with Pilates, it is a form of low impact flexibility, strength, and endurance exercise. It emphasizes core strength, proper alignment, and muscle balance. In order to perform the exercises properly, one has to concentrate and stay in the “zone.” Consequently, one must align one's mind while aligning the body. That alignment is important. I believe the events of the last few days have been so stressful because we as a nation were striving for closure and alignment, only to be thrown further out of balance. As we long to cling to our routines and each other for strength, we can’t, because COVID-19 numbers are rising at an alarming rate.
An art gallery, by its nature, has many established routines: inventory management, accounting, and art handling; artists protocols, established sales and marketing practices as well as customer service activities. But our ultimate routine is the “Hanging of a Show.” It’s a joyful and demanding activity that simultaneously activates all other routines. It’s also a time when expectations have to be managed. This week JRB Art at The Elms has been installing two new shows by established gallery artists: Holly Wilson and Behnaz Sohrabian. Our routine has been altered because the week of First Friday the galley was without electricity. As a result, our November - December show is opening Tomorrow evening from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Guests are required to wear masks and no more than 10 guests will be admitted in the Gallery at one time.
Installing an artist’s work is a wonderfully transformative routine that keeps us and our little part of the art world in balance. We believe art is spiritual, therapeutic, and inspiring. These are things we all need. Like Pilates, art aligns the mind, the body and ultimately the spirit. Taking time to experience art is a necessary routine.
SAYING GOODBYE! -
Wishing one of our favorite bronze sculptures by David Phelps safe travels as it moves from our gallery to its new home in Santa Fe!
Images:
Holly Wilson assembling her work piece, "One Fish, Two Fish," for her upcoming show, "Seven Sides of the Self."
Cody Ingram installing the works of Behnaz Sohrabian for her upcoming show, "Human."
Holly Wilson, "Hero," Encaustic on Birch Panel, 12 1/2 x 16 x 3 in., $2,200
Holly Wilson, "Together," Encaustic on Birch Panel, 12 1/2 x 16 x 3 in., $2,200
David Phelps, "Daydreamer," 2007, Bronze, 30 x 80 x 80 in.
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