Showing Up

My great grandma, Lucile Thurman, was a dancer. She is my mother’s mother’s mother and also lived in Salt Lake City. 100 years ago, the country was facing the Great Depression and recovering from a world war. Lucile was running a dance studio and performing her art in a way that brought curiosity and excitement to people around her. When my mom and I were cleaning out my grandmas house, we came across several dance drawings done by my great grandma. They were just stick figures, but I was so inspired by the movement and emotion she showed in her simple lines.

100 years later (the same month even), I opened a dance show of my own during another tumultuous time in our history. This painting in particular [“Showing Up” 36x48] was a tribute to her, and I borrowed some of her linework for the figures in the background.

The world may not always look exactly how we want it, but I will always count on the artists—the painters, the poets, the musicians, the photographers, the DANCERS and so many more—to show up and remind us what is beautiful and good. I feel honored to join my great grandma in such an important work.

The “Of Dance” Show is open now at @jgogallery! Check it out!