I wanted to share something that unfolded around the artwork I submitted to the ArtFields Festival… because for a while, it almost didn’t make it there.
After spending a full month in transit—traveling all the way from Florida to Utah, when it was supposed to go to South Carolina—the piece finally arrived damaged just days before the festival opening.
I had spent so much of that month trying to track down the crate and hoping it would arrive in time that I hadn’t even considered the possibility of it being damaged on arrival.
For a moment, it felt like the piece might never make it onto the wall at all—and honestly, that broke my heart.
So I made a quick decision.
I packed up what I needed, and my partner Mark and I drove to Lake City, South Carolina to see whether it could be repaired. Two days each way.
Somewhere between the stress, the uncertainty, and the long drive, we decided we were going to make it a fun and meaningful adventure no matter what happened.
When we arrived in Lake City, we were greeted with open arms. It seemed everyone connected with the festival knew me as “the artist whose work was sent to Utah.”
They set me up in a studio space where I was able to carefully assess and repair the artwork. With a huge sigh of relief, “You Can’t Fool Me” was finally hung just hours before the festival opening.
The best news of all came a couple of weeks later while I was teaching a workshop in my studio. The artwork sold to an enthusiastic collector!
Here’s a glimpse of her in her new home.
There’s something especially meaningful to me about this work now, as she carries this story of resilience with her.
Thank you for being here and for following along with the journey.
With love always,
Gila
Gila