Bee Love with Ruta Pascal
February 7th - March 1st
Ruta’s crocheted mandala is a meditation on transformation, born from grief and the need for solace. Each stitch became a way to process loss, turning pain into beauty and reminding us that even in life’s unraveling, something whole can emerge.
Hello, my name is Ruta and I was born in Vilnius, Lithuania. I got to see quite a lot in my childhood, the collapse of the Soviet Union, complete dissolution of government, banks, structure, currency ... you name it. Stuff literally fell apart. Although I experienced all of that as a kid, it always gave me a very strong perspective as an adult, I know what it is not to have choices, voice or actual freedom. In my twenties I got a chance to travel and live abroad, and this is how I landed in the American Southwest. Love at first sight. I’ve lived in California, Colorado and now Arizona for 21+ years now. It’s my third season in Flagstaff. It’s been the longest place I lived since I left California, and yet I still feel like I’m integrating, still new over here. Recently I’ve started my business Kula Bee Goods, a beeswax food wrap company. After being an animal nurse for 16+ years I took a break from the veterinary field and I couldn’t /didn’t want to come back to it. I gave it my all, my physical, mental and spiritual strength, my time, care and effort, and I'm done. Today, Kula Bee Goods, my company, gives me an opportunity to make and share what I believe in; an eco-friendly option for the household, it helps you not to use plastic as much and most definitely preserves your food. It’s a perfect marriage of my two passions: beauty and environmental impact. Beauty is something I’m constantly drawn to and strive to create. My first beautiful mandala was born out of deep despair and anxiety. When my already sickly, already living on borrowed time dog Rupert got sick again (for the last time) and I simply couldn’t leave him alone but I was losing my shit staring at the walls (I couldn’t drink myself to a stupor because you need your clarity with the dog who can’t breathe well) . Then, I started the most intimidating looking thing I could crochet, a mandala. I needed my hands to be busy, because my heart was so heavy. And circle after circle ⭕️, and all the mistakes, and cheap thrifted yarn, my massive anxiety transformed into something immensely beautiful. That’s how I made my first one. I crocheted for almost half a year and one day I was done. Not sure why. Two weeks later, Rupert was done too. This lesson, that even the most uncomfortable, you can say even ugly and painful things, can be transformed/transmuted into some form of beauty, will stay with me forever.
Ruta
Gallery Hours:
February 7th 6-9pm
February 8th 12-5pm
February 14th 12-5pm
February 15th 12-5pm
February 21st 1-6pm
February 22nd 12-5pm
February 28th 12-5pm
March 1st 12-5pm