You epitomize grace and independence. You have persevered through tragedy and heartbreak and lived your life giving to others. You have shown me how a purposeful life can give you strength and longevity.
I love you more now than I have ever in all my life.
Let go, now. It is ok. You will live in your children and in every soul you touched and transformed through your generosity and love.
Let go. Rest.
It was three years ago almost to the day that I was nominated and elected to serve as President of the Society of American Mosaic Artists. This was not anywhere on my career trajectory- I was quite content with my life as a studio artist, doing what I am trained to do- that “art” thing.
But in 2007, the organization that I care about deeply was hit with several difficult issues, and change was on the horizon. I am proud of the course the organization is taking and the friends I have made along the way. Here is my last Presidents letter I wrote for the Spring 2010 issue of Groutline, Vol.11, Number 2:
It is winter in Chicago as I write this letter, my last as President of SAMA. I am amazed that almost three years have passed since I signed on to head our organization. I wasn’t sure how to “do President” or what kind of leadership I could bring to this fast growing and demanding group of artists and enthusiasts, but I knew that all of us share a passion for Mosaic Arts. I found my footing in no small part due to unanimous support of the members of the SAMA Board, my friend and Executive Director Dawnmarie Zimmerman, as well as the encouragement of countless SAMA friends and colleagues. It has been an incredible experience, sacrifice and honor for me to represent SAMA over these last few years but I would not trade my experience for anything.
Since 2007, we have almost doubled our membership, modernized our website and registration, expanded our quarterly magazine, Groutline, increased our educational opportunities with scholarships and programs at conferences, and developed alliances with international mosaic organizations, schools and universities. SAMA is just 10 years young and, it continues to grow and flourish. The SAMA community inspires me; I watch excitedly as I see countless artists in all stages of their careers. We artists are working in different styles and materials, creating work large and small, coming together from all over the globe to form an exciting, innovative creative community.
SAMA has been a source of inspiration, innovation and offers countless opportunities for creative development. SAMA will continue to transform and evolve to meet the needs of our diverse membership as we approach our second decade. I hope you will join me in ensuring the legacy of SAMA by donating to our Legacy Campaign, by attending next year’s conference in Austin Texas, or by volunteering your time and talents to a committee or by serving on the board. It is way to connect, a way to serve, and way to belong to something that serves the greater good of the contemporary Mosaic Arts movement.
As artists that work in small spaces alone, or isolated communities, SAMA gives us a place to belong. “We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”(D.Day-1887-1980)
With love.
Karen Ami
