Thank you all for a wonderful day…
Check out the How to create a life Cast Page if you were in the class on July 16th 2008
(a) Guests viewing works (b) Former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Vice Regal for Queen Elizabeth II Myra Freeman unveiling the Ressurected Christ. (c) Joe, Her Honor, Bill (d) Corrine Harland, Bill, Joe, Otis, Sue Uteck Deputy Mayor Halifax, Topher Muise, Brian, Her Honor, Celebrating 3 Birthdays (e) Mark Wolf Preformer, Joe, Cory Doucette Model for the Christ, Her Honor, Otis, Claire Coolen Opera Singer, Brian (f) Guests viewing works
Just a month ago friends and collectors of our work asked if they could see what we had been working on in Canada the last little while, so after a planned trip to our studio evolved into an exhibition of our work we decided that since our friends we on board the R-Family vacations cruise we’d open the invitation to all on board…
Over 55,000 checked out our site, a one time only exhibition of our favorite pieces, over 9,000 emails from around the world, over 1,200 telephone messages and over a thousand photographs later we can rest and say thank you…
Originally we ordered 100 desserts and drinks then we saw how wonderful your support was so we doubled the order by the day of the show we had 1000 desserts passed out.
This was the first exhibition of our work ever in Nova Scotia. It was by invitation only and we had only 50 invitations printed and 150 programs. We invited a few friends and family and the guests of Kelli O’Donnell and Gregg Kaminsky’s R-Family Cruise. The support we received from the families on board overwhelmed us as thousands of wonderful new friends took an opportunity to share some time with us and form new friendships that will last and enrich our lifetime.
From Nigeria to Nebraska, Copenhagen to Colorado, Great Britain to Grand Rapids, Hong Kong to Hartford we had guests from over 20 countries sign the guest book and come to meet us and share an afternoon.
Thank you seems like such a small word for the emotions and gratitude we feel for your support and encouragement.
I have had a number of you write and tell us that you couldn’t wait because you had to get back on the ship so you didn’t have a chance to get a picture with us or and autograph. Please drop us a note and we will respond and if we are in your area we will invite you to join us for a small meet and greet over a cup of coffee.
So many of you had pictures taken with us it was impossible for our photographer to keep track so if you’d like us to mail you a print of a picture taken with us please email us a picture of yourself so that we can send you the right photograph.
Through out the day so many of you shared your stories with us, I can’t tell you how much that meant to us, usually I hate openings and public functions. We are always the curiosity, ask Joe and he`ll answer and they grill me about our life and loves teased and titillated that I’ll answer bluntly when so many are afraid to discuss their heart and emotions… it was so wonderful to finally share experiences to learn about so many of you, and to learn how our struggle to be ourselves help you on your journey…
There were times after we got married and faced death threats and court trials, after we adopted Bill when our circles of friend changed and strangers judged us, when our dearest friend Gene, the most noble man I know, faced persecution because he was chosen to lead his flock in church as we stood by him many nights I questioned was it worth it …
On Wednesday July 16th you came to see our work and ended up changing us …
As you cried and hugged us and you laughed and told us of your lives everything on the road we traveled was worth it…so many of you told us how our life or work had touched you but you got it wrong it was you who touched and changed us. My plays, our music, the children’s stories, photographs paintings and sculptures all exist because of your influence and love; without your belief in our dream, we wouldn’t exist as we do…
So please never hesitate to call us friend. People like Diane M from Ottawa and Jean D fromSt Margarets, Marie From Florida have inspired us and help change us in just one wonderful day…there are so many of you who cxhange our lives and we never seem to get to say thank you.
(a) Her Honor and Joe with the days First Newleyweds (b) Guests viewing works (c) Otis Performing a Washington Symphony sneak peak (d) Joe & Brian Teaching sculpture
As I went through my notes, you asked us to donate to and participate in Charities and events in 8 states and 4 countries (yes Cheryl FSNY comes first) with a total of over 28 events. 5 YMCA’s and YWCA you asked us to speak at or teach at 23 schools; 4 Gay prides and over 100 invitations to dinner and by hell or high water we will accept them all.
One memorable moment came from the vowel state of Ohio actually, a couple came from there and as we spoke, a vision formed a giant wall of faces and bodies dressed in the uniforms of their life and work representing the GLBT and supportive straight communities of Columbus, a monument to dreams designed to bring a place of strength and comfort to someone scared and lonely, we will gladly donate this to Columbus and we’ll find away to maybe even create a couple of these monuments of strength and safety in community and love so if you think your community is deserving or in need let us know … I wish I could give all our time away but we can only do a few so give us a good reason to give this to your community.
This was just one day in our life … but when people come together with love as their common bond, miracles can happen.
As you look at the pictures…think about all the things you can do to make your dreams come true… then do them…
Yours always
Joe, Brian, Otis and Bill
Former Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, Vice Regal for Queen Elizabeth II Myra Freeman and Sue Uteck Deputy Mayor Halifax,unveiling the Awakining of the David at Canada’s Ellis Island Historic Pier 21 in the Mary Black gallery.
a small write up in Canada’s Gay Paper
I am sorry that I have not had a chance to send you a personal THANK YOU.You are now a part of my family forever that god has chosen to bless me with on my journey.What a remarkable day one that will always represent all that is good in this world The POWER of LOVE of those that give with a open heart overcomes all.
Your generosity the LOVE in that room I can still feel and will remain with me forever. Thank you my so much for myself and for all of the others that benefited from your open hearts.
You re more than ARTISTS you are my Heroes.
LOVE,
Cheryl
STARTFRESH NY SFNY
There is a moment in time where our world was made a little brighter, hope was regained for humanity, and the beauty expressed thru art, a time and place where we met these three amazing human beings…Joey, Brian, and Otis, who will forever be called friends. Their spirit of giving came from the heart, with nothing expected in return…a very rare quality in todays world. How do you say thank you …thank you for sharing, caring, loving. We WILL be trying to do sculpting soon. That otta be interesting, but fun. So to three men that rocked our world…bravisimo…never never will we forget!!