This past Sunday, the Woods Hole Public Library held a wonderful reception to celebrate my most recent book, Pocketful of Posies. Words cannot express how honored I feel by Molly Bang and my other friends who spoke. I was so touched and humbled by the outpouring of support from the people who came to see my artwork and hear the presentation. It makes me proud to have grown up and live in such a creative little corner of the world. Thank you, Terry McKee for conjuring up and arranging this wonderful event!
Here I am, signing books at the circulation desk.
Some very special people came, like my RISD teacher and agent, Judy Sue Goodwin-Sturges. She talked about the beginning of our relationship 35 years ago and passed around “Mr. Mole”, which I had handed in (after pulling an all-nighter) for a class assignment (sorry, no picture).
The amazing April Prince, who writes, edits and makes things happen at Studio Goodwin-Sturges also showed up.
The finished and framed Rabbitat picture was displayed on an easel and about half of the original fabric relief illustrations from Pocketful of Posies lined the library’s main room on top of the book shelves. I’ve had to take away the artwork, but one piece will remain for a few months, the illustration from There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. People loved seeing the Rabbitat film (read posts about it here) and commented that it gave them a clearer insight and appreciation of what I do. I haven’t had time to put the film on this blog or my website, but the filmmaker, Daniel Cojanu is showing it on vimeo here.
I wish I had more pictures of the people who came to the event and the cookies Terry and I made, but my husband Rob (the designated photographer) and I were much too busy participating in the festivity. On Monday, Rob and I drove artwork to Vermont, where my show Salley Mavor: Sewn Stories will be showing at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center until February, 2012. Yes, we’ll be returning for the opening on Friday. It’s been quite the week, month, year!
SALLEY MAVOR 
Congratulations, Salley! Your artwork should be celebrated; it brings so much joy to those who see it.
Beth
Salley,
I am so happy that you are receiving the recognition that you so richly deserve, your work is totally delightful and unique. You are a treasure.
Jenny
Love the book. Have 2 copies, one will be a gift.
Delighted that you are receiving the kudos you deserve!!
Another fabulous event! Saw the little “film” Rabbitat and loved it. What a special place near the water where you collect your driftwood and the little leafless forest of bare trees where you sat……loved it all and have never before seen a place like where your little “dreaming tree” is located. Can you explain that place a little? Am so fascinated by the way you work….like writers who do not know where the characters are going to take them, you are led by your little characters as they take shape. Have never experienced that before…..it is a tantalizing way of creating.
Cate, I’m glad you enjoyed the film. The place in the film you describe is the “Knob”, which is a protected bird sanctuary near Quissett harbor in Falmouth. We filmed that part in early spring, before the trees leafed out. The trees tend to be dwarfed by the wind off the water, so they sometimes grow sideways, close to the ground. Most people never see Cape Cod in the winter, which is beautiful in a different way.
Looks like everyone had a great time, celebrating you and your work. Sure hope to be a member of the adoring crowds at a future showing. I love seeing this latest event…thanks for keeping us Salley fans informed!
This must have been so much fun for you…what a treat after all that work!
What a lovely space to show your work! And a wonderful celebration of your art!
So glad to hear that the event went well and that so many important people in your life attended. And be still my heart…that library still has a card catalogue! I miss them so. The smell of the cards, the soft feel of the cards that have been touched by so many, the unexpected discoveries that were made when searching for something entirely different. Computer catalogues just don’t compare.