“This is going to sound sappy, but here goes…

I moved to JP for a job two years ago and quickly found that Boston is not an easy place to be a “newbie”. I signed up for last year’s Open Studios to give myself a goal in terms of my artwork, and to get involved with the community.

As the JPOS weekend approached, I wasn’t ready and really wanted to pull out. I knew that I had to show up because my name was printed on the map so I wrapped up whatever I could and headed down to the Eliot School.

Once I got there I was blown away by the friendliness of the group and the quality of the work around me. I couldn’t believe how well my work sold and it was a truly enriching experience to watch people react to it (both positive and negative).

I finished that weekend on such a high that I wanted to do something to help other people love the experience as much as I did.

I teach more than full time during the school year and I don’t have consistent time to work on a committee. Instead, I try to lend a hand with events whenever I can. I figure that if I keep doing a little bit here and there it will eventually add up to something.”

As told to Jean Mineo. Photo from Small Works 08 by Matt McKee

Get involved. Have fun. Meet people. See new art. Volunteer.