Last year at this time I wrote a Memorial Day piece about Lew Carson, one of our favorite artists who had passed away. He joined Mamade Kabreebux, Richard Kamler, Janet Norris, Tom Akawie, and Harry Cohen as our sixth fallen hero. This year I am writing a commemorative piece about the virtual passing of Far Out Gallery due to this strange interlude that we all find ourselves in.
Ten weeks of being closed has left us wondering what our community and gallery will look like this summer, this fall, and this winter. Until then we simply can’t and won’t know. We are on the cusp of big changes though. This pandemic has exposed serious flaws in our country, and has given us a golden opportunity to make changes. Let us embrace this moment. Let us have big dialogues and big discussions. Let us see what breathing and making art and living looks like post pandemic.
As someone recently said, “Science will get us out of this mess, but art will get us through it.” Already we have made progress: just look at the marvelous window display that you have given us all. In June we will display these pieces inside. In July and August we are finally going to see Natalie Craig’s show that had been scheduled for April.
So, peace and love and hope to you all as we create and enter our new world. -Peter
