The Townhouse Summer Workshop 2007 concluded on Wednesday, July 26 with a high energy closing Community Celebration.  More than 700 works of art created by the participants were exhibited, and six original animated films and six original theatrical scenes created during the three workshop were shared.  Many family members attended in support of the young artists, and there were hudreds of people crowded in the Townhouse gallery space for the evening.

Nilea and I spent more than 15 hours on Thursday, July 27, working on a final report concerning our experiences with the Townhouse Summer Workshop.  We agreed it is vital for us to provide a detailed accounting of the project, in order to create thorough documentation about the positive impact of the project for the Teaching Artist Fellowship program and the VSA arts Home Office, as well as the other partnering organizations involved.  We will complete that As Soon As Possible via Email communication; Nilea remains in Egypt for an additional week, on her own time, to see more of Egypt and meet more people.

On Friday July 27, I had a very early morning ride scheduled to take me to Cairo International Airport for a 5:30 am flight; so rather than sleep for only a few hours (and risk sleeping through a wake-up call ! ), I chose to pull an all-nighter.  As a result, it was a long and grueling travel day.  However, all went well as I made my way from Cairo, Egypt to Frankfurt, Germany and then on home to Atlanta, GA in the good ole U.S. of A.

The old digital camera that Earl gave me to use on the trip ceased functioning during the last week of classses, so I fear that the 100+ images I took may be lost.  ( I am trying NOT to pout about that, but I do feel a sharp sense of regret.  I was so proud of myself that I even took any photos - not my best thing ! )

Earl is working on recovering the images from the memory card; he just told me that he thinks he succeeded in the attempt, so I hope to move forward with my plan to create a photo gallery of the trip.  Evenutally I should also receive images from Nilea and Alexandria ( Townhouse Gallery staff member who was taking photos regularly ).  There are some fabulouse images from the final Community Celebration that are well worth sharing!

I have drafted my final report for the Executive Director of VSA arts of Georgia, and I return to my full time day job on Wednesday, August 1st, at the conclusion of my Personal Leave of Absence.  Although I do sort of dread the accumulated snail mail, Email and  other stuff that may await me, I am confident that my colleagues at the office have "held down the fort," and managed admirably in my absence.

I fully expect that in the coming weeks and months I will continue the process of more deeply intergrating and reflecting on the learning and growth this experience has prompted within me.  For now I am savoring being home with my domestic partner and the my canine pals, enjoying cold drinks with LOTS of ice, and practicing an attitude of gratitude for the many blessings that grace my life.