Reflection of a year, The HeArt Box turns 1.
It has been sometime since I have posted here, it can be challenging managing an art space, creating art and building community all in one. With all the challenges and juggling this little project of mine, this is something I am proud of. What started out as just a dream, a vision, a hope for something different is now a reality. I had no idea how to get where I was going, just continually showing up and putting one foot in front of the other, moving, standing still at times to reflect and then moving again. A constant challenge to myself, to learn how to be raw, real and authentic as an artist and translating that somehow into a business.
A whole year down and behind me. Lessons learned, relationships built and most importantly roots growing deep. I believed in this dream of mine, a space for art to be seen and felt. An art gallery different from others, living, changing and breathing a life of its own. Each piece of art created by hand, the heart of the artist existing in that piece and then passed onto the collector. A community supportive of one another, for if I succeed as an artist I know that others can too. Always believing in my Flagstaff community of artists, talent that is unnoticed at times by the bigger world. We have a drive here to keep making it work, finding ways to do what we love. Cost of living can be high, opportunities scarce but worth every second of it, our home here in Flagstaff is precious so we make it work. I have learned throughout my years of living that if what you need or want doesn’t exist you have to create it. I felt I needed and wanted something for myself that didn’t quite exist, so I made it happen.
This journey of The HeArt Box, I started out on my own, not going to lie a bit scary, I faked it until it became a reality. Artists typically work in solitude our creations coming from the depths of our souls. Only we know how we see it and then we share. This is one of my most favorite moments of creating, when you get to share it with others, people’s reactions and to see them moved and inspired. The HeArt Box has been exactly this, as soon as I opened my doors people showed up. Artists came through and patrons felt the love in the work and supported us. On the days when I felt like I really didn’t know what I was doing, the days I felt like giving up; someone would show up, offer me inspiration and light. A spark to keep going. I am grateful for these little moments of exchange.
I am looking forward to the unfolding of another year, I can feel the expansion of this vision and the momentum gaining. I find excitement in the unknown this time around, new possibilities lay before me and the artists I work with. New relationships waiting to be discovered and more community. It truly is inspiring. My heart filled with gratitude, The HeArt Box filled with more life, onto year 2.
- Jill Sans
A small collection of all the artists who have contributed to The HeArt Box throughout the year. Photo taken on First Friday Artwalk, August 2nd, 2019.
Pictured from Left to Right: Gina Purri, Jerrel Singer, Katy Kyle, Jonah Hill, Nate B., Stephen Saunders, Raemy Winton, Ava Miller, Malory Donahue, MacKenzie Chase, Alexandra Melina and seated in front Jada Santoro and Jill Sans.