Artist Reception: Fri, 10.4 // 5-8pm

So what is the 3rd Act?
Based on demographic trends we are experiencing more years in our lives. This beyond 60 is often referred to as the “Third Act” and I’m there. I’m at a point where previous big roles that helped identify who I am have changed: daughter, wife, mother, professor of art, and even artist. Many of those roles have shifted and have continued to shift. Being an artist is not something you can separate yourself from but it is something that grows and changes. Sometimes my expectations can make the creation experience stressful - And what it boils down to is, am I good enough?

My best art was probably created pre-11 years old. I didn’t have expectations. When I tap into that mode, the art changes and is full of - dare I say, play?

The work here has been done in the last year(ish) and slowly I am letting go of those “expectations” and I’m starting to rediscover playfulness. Around the gallery are some of the many thoughts and quotes that Suzi and I have collected. They are really reminders, prompts and positive voices.

This particular quote has stuck with me. It’s by Neil Gaiman and was part of a 2012 commencement address and eventual book: Make Good Art.

“I’m serious. Husband runs off with a politician? Make good art. Leg crushed and then eaten by mutated boa constrictor? Make good art. IRS on your trail? Make good art. Cat exploded? Make good art. Someone on the Internet thinks what you’re doing is stupid or evil or it’s all been done before? Make good art. Probably things will work out somehow, and eventually time will take the sting away, but that doesn’t matter. Do what only you can do best. Make good art.

Make it on the bad days. Make it on the good days too.

And fifthly, while you are at it, make your art. Do the stuff that only you can do.”

Ann Klingensmith, 2024