There are two tired individuals in this house (and one tired dog with no excuse). Today we put up our biggest exhibit ever, with all 36 I Am More portraits and essays at the Salem State University Berry Library. Between breaking down the Paint Factory exhibit, wrapping, renting a van, loading, driving back and forth to Salem, unloading, PR (thanks Áine!), hanging (thanks Chris!), dog care (thanks Ulla!), graphic design (thanks Dylan!), all the way down to the details of cleaning and leveling the portraits, these two people are pooped.

But I’m a little bit obsessed with how great the exhibit looks in that space. All the little reading nooks and the big gorgeous windows surrounded by green trees and blue sky.

Here are the details:

This exhibit was made possible by two professors–one of nursing and one of social work, who advocated to bring it to the university after seeing it at the North Shore Mall. And, of course, the generosity of the library. They’ve been awesome.

But it was only last Thursday that I Am More: Massachusetts was in the midst of a Maker’s Market in Ocean Alliance’s newest space at the Paint Factory surrounded by Gloucester harbor, with schooners sailing by. With the help of the staff, and countless hours from Iain, we turned a barely-finished (and not quite painted) former copper mill into a breathtaking gallery (and yes, that’s a whale on the floor):

We had some stunning conversations, as always, and there were some lovely notes in the guestbook:

I am so graciously moved by your work and this exhibit. I can spend hours staring into the eyes of your portraits. Reading about their pains–feeling their pain. And yours.

Thank you for this rich, rewarding experience.

This is amazing and wonderful. Thank you for doing it because it makes us all more.

Your work and journey are a candle in the darkness to all of us who get washed out into the storm–I feel from your wonderful drawings that I have a whole bunch of new friends I can pray for and think of.

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.

William Shakespeare (Merchant of Venice)

In addition, we raised $1718 towards framing for new I Am More portraits. Stay tuned because the first portrait in two years is coming soon…

I Am More is supported by donations. To make a tax-deductible donation please go to Ocean Alliance’s donation page and choose “I Am More” from the list of programs. Thank you for your support!!