The coffeehouse stirs at Magdalene

You know when you go into something thinking you know exactly what you’re doing, and assuming you’ll have everything under control because you’ve worked so hard to keep all the balls juggling perfectly?

Well, as a freelance planner for Venue Art Gallery, I’m not known for my execution being organized or completely aware of itself. In my defense, it’s hard to get things out of your head and into the gallery! why? Maybe the gallery has it’s own ideas. Maybe the events are their own beings.

All I know is, Magdalene Art Market? She wan’t going to be controlled b anyone. She had her pace down, and her purpose set, and it had nothing to do with me! Magdalene was the perfect fit for this beautiful, mild March. I hope you got a chance to experience her this past weekend!

I think the best part of Saturday’s market was the undeniable sense of community.Wow.  There we were, dozens of women acting on our creative urges, bringing friends, family and the public into this womb of art, music and conversation. There was a sense of pride on Saturday that even I couldn’t have imagined a few months earlier, after Outside the Square had ended and I was hungry for more.

When I conceptualized Magdalene with Tiff and Steph, I definitely pictured it being frenetic, maybe even a little chaotic, and colorful. I wanted there to be so much going on that everyone found some positive stimulus there. And I wanted the festival to showcase women artists. But I could not have known the kind of ambiance– the kind of aura we would create at Magdalene. Whether you were getting a reflexology massage from Tammy Mitchell from Om Yoga, watching our independent women trance belly dance on stage or fingering beautiful jewels by Leslie of Twisted Chicken and Jessica of Hey Lola, you were a part of the FEEL of Magdalene.

Morgan's enchanted world

As we set up in the morning, I was frazzled and worried about the smallest details. I noticed, though, that all the women coming in were so calm. As each woman artist showed up with their supplies and display items, ready to create their booth, I shared a few words with them. And as we talked, as the booths grew into these beautiful expressions of each artist– such as Morgan’s amazing studio of 3D art and dolls near the entrance– this peace came over me. And I think it was a peace, a sense of beauty that radiated all day long. I am fairly certain that we all felt it, those working the fair and attending it.

Hey Lola!

I was so proud to be  a part of Magdalene, and it did feel like something I was a part of more than something I created. Each woman there gave a part of herself, and each person that approached an artist or musician or friend and talked about art, music or life in general, added to the harmony of the event. That is the best word I can think of for Magdalene– It was harmonious! Where else can you find artists of such different mediums, like Tiffany Wyse-Fisher and Amy Shay, trading their creations to one another because they appreciated each other’s sensibilities so much? Where else can you find a conversation over coffee with someone you didn’t know before you walked in the door about something beautiful, sad or special happening in your life? I saw these things happening at Magdalene, and it made my heart swell.

I extend my sincere thanks to the gallery owners for their open minds and hearts, and for their amazing spirit. And I invite anyone that attended Magdalene to give a comment on their own experience. Mine was something singular and special that I will hold on to for a long time!

A note on special guest, Erin Ivey: Erin is known as Austin, TX’s urban folk sweetheart, and I couldn’t think of a better word for her. If you didn’t get a chance to hear Erin perform Saturday night, please check out her website: http://www.erinivey.com.

Erin and Joe rock us "nice and slow"

Erin made the gallery glow. It couldn’t have just been the wine. She gave an electric performance of haunting folk ballads, chilling lullabies and brilliantly crafted interpretations of artists’ work such as Radiohead and Carla Bruni– what versatility, right? She was soft spoken but funny on stage, and there was a sincerity to this intimate performance that rewarded the small, attentive audience.

I am so happy with how Saturday turned out, and I think that anyone interested in these sorts of experiences should contact Tiff and Steph and say a few words, give a few ideas. Please support your local artists and Venue Art Gallery for it’s continuous innovation and dedication to the Peoria area arts community!

(Entry written by Shannon Moore – the mind behind Outside the Square and Magdalene Market)