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June 25, 2007

Reasons Why I Hate Living in a Small Town #467

I am teaching a mask workshop to some high school interns over the next five weeks. (That's not the reason why.)

Because I am who I am, they're not going to just make masks and decorate them. Oh no. They're first going to see some masks by an actor here who has built some great ones, and talk about why masks might be important and what they can be used for. Then they're going to do some physical, vocal and imaginative exploration. The second class is when they will start building their masks, after having some time to think about/design them. (That's not why I hate living in a small town either.)

Also because I am who I am, I want them to have space to work in, a book for jottings and scribblings and playings with color and form and texture and image. Because even someone who can't draw very well can cut pictures out of a magazine and glue them onto a page (which is what I do). Or mix a color with oil pastels until it comes out exactly right (I also do this). So I went to our local art supply store to buy drawing pads and oil pastels. The idea being that each student (there are six) would be able to leave tomorrow with a pen, a small drawing pad (8"x6") and a small box of oil pastels. Then, when they come back next week, they'll have some images to work from when building their masks.

(The reason I hate living in a small town would be the next thing I say.)

Imagine my surprise when the only art supply store in town has only five small drawing pads. I had to get two others that were twice as much. And imagine my surprise when the only art supply store in town had only three small boxes of oil pastels. Because apparently nobody here ever does art, so why would we want to spread the joy?

I mean, it's not like it's even a real art supply store. It's a fucking arts and CRAFTS supply store (oh yes, you know the chain), but it's the only one we've got, so the least they can do is to try to fill both niches. What a horrible surprise awaits the next person who wants to purchase either oil pastels or a small drawing pad since I bought all they had in stock of each.

If I lived someplace bigger, I could go to the competition to get what I need. We have five Chinese restaurants, three Mexican restaurants, two office supply stores, seven million realtors (it's the college student turnover thing), three coffee shops, a Starbucks and one art supply store for 21,000 people. I would argue that there's some imbalance there that needs working out. Say, maybe a couple of the Chinese restaurants and one Mexican restaurant get together and build a really gorgeous art supply store. With a good bookstore attached. I'd move in.

Posted by sally at June 25, 2007 09:34 PM

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Posted by: fire4hairlady at June 26, 2007 06:54 AM

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