Foot in the Door at MIA

The Minneapolis Institute of Art has a show called Foot in the Door every ten years. Not sure how many times they have done this show but this is a first for me. The idea is that anyone can submit art to the Museum and they will hang it in the exhibit with the only proviso being that it fits in a box that is one foot by one foot. Almost five thousand people have submitted their art to the show this year. They divide the walls of the gallery into one foot sections and in each section there is a piece of art. I think it will be a little bit of sensory overload when I go to the exhibit but it's wonderful to see so many people excited about art.

I waited in line for a little over an hour to drop off my piece. Why? Well, with that many people it isn't like I am trying to be discovered. You would really have to stand out in the crowd for that and I know I'm not there yet. It's exciting to be a part of a big event like this all centered on the arts. It makes you realize how many people out there have hidden talents they are not able to share very often. It will be a thrill for me to go to the Museum, sometime before the middle of June, and see my work hanging in the same building as all of the famous artists I so admire. I should call this Foot in the Door outside my box. I haven't done a lot of hand stitching lately but I used to do a lot of it. This is all hand stitched from a photo I took in Hawaii. I called it Aloha Sunset.

I met some really nice people while I was waiting in line. The woman in front of me was a teacher who told her art students about this opportunity. The students gave her their work, she framed them with frames she bought at Goodwill, and she stood in line to give her kids this opportunity. Her friend brought a finger painting created by her three year old so her daughter would have a chance to be a part of this event. She will be able to submit something again in 10 years when she is thirteen if she wants, and again at 23, etc. How amazing is that!

I am connected to the Foot in the Door Exhibit on Facebook and they have been sending a few photos and a couple of the online video submissions as teasers. I think I saw mine hanging in Gallery 3. Not positive, but I think so. The video submissions they have sent so far are amazing. I have no idea how people do things like that but I do appreciate them. The opening reception is this Thursday evening. Should be a pretty crazy night with that many people involved. I can't wait until Friday, I think we will be able to see all of the video submissions after that and I think they will have photos of all the individual pieces online as well.

Hats off to the MIA for this huge undertaking in supporting art for the everyday person like me!
Have a Creative Day
Janet