What to expect during "Shortcut to the Silk Road" Exhibit

As we get closer to end of the year, everyone is busy with the last minute shopping, family gatherings etc. For me it is a different kind of preparation though; getting the final plans and sketches done for the "Shortcut to the Silk Road" exhibition in Saugatuck MI this January.  This Exhibition brings to life the most celebrated trade route in history, named for the treasured fabric that attracted traders from all over the world. The Silk Road stretched from the far reaches of China through the cities and empires of Central Asia and the Middle East. Extending 4,000 miles, the Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative trade in Chinese silk carried out along its length. Trade goods were not the only things travelers carried with them; artistic methods and motifs, styles of music, religions, languages and literature, philosophies and political ideologies were all transported along with silks, spices and porcelains. Rather than the luxury items that might pass from one set of hands to another, more often it was these more intangible cultural products that left the most indelible impressions.

In the spirit of this exhibit, I have used some of the merchants which have been significant to the silk road in some of the new pieces which will be on view during "Shortcut To The Silk Road" exhibit; Tea and Saffron are some main mediums in some pieces. Stay tuned for some images to come as we get closer to the opening date. Join us on January 22nd 2016 at Saugatuck Center for the Arts from 5:30-7:30 pm located on 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, MI.

Watch the video of our rewarding Habitat trip to Cambodia

  The most amazing things happen when you have two of your other biggest passions in life combined; traveling to a new country and doing charity for those in need. Last November we travelled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to build two houses for two needy families.

During our stay, we worked with an amazing group of friends who became our family, people with beautiful souls, great energy and the will to help others. We sweated  together with local workers and the future homeowners under the leadership of an amazing couple for whom we all have tremendous amount of respect ; Neale and Maureen Kemp.

Cambodia has an energy within its soil which is hard to describe. It's incredibly tragic history and what went down during the dark era of Khmer Rouge is upsetting yet it makes you appreciate what you have in life; its amazing to see although they went through such a painful time, yet still the first thing you will see on their faces, is their beautiful smiles and their gratitude towards whats being done.

I decided this would be a more interesting way of sharing our experience with you all. I truly believe every person need to at least do one habitat trip once in their lifetime. That feeling when you hand the key to the new home owners is just indescribable.

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