Sock Monkeys Play Faire!

Fie! Pirate sock monkeys have besieged the Shire of Tamarack. The palace is crawling with the rascals. I have donned my flat cap and collar so that I may join with the Queen and Sir Francis Drake to defeat the invading pirate sock monkeys.

Come join in. Take the side of the queen or that of the pirate scourge. Whichever side you choose, remember - Play Faire!

Tamarack Renaissance Faire
Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tamarack, Beckley, WV
http://www.tamarackwv.com/

Thy humble servant, Artie

Arts Business Institute

This past Friday and Saturday Tamarack had the pleasure of welcoming the Ats Bsuiness Institute (ABi) to West Virginia for the second time. We had over 70 people who came to learn about the business of art. I learned tons of cool stuff and am feeling like a pretty smart sock monkey right now. Plus, I recruited four new members for the the Friends of Sock Monkeys club from the ABi staff and faculty. They are (from top to bottom) Marilyn Ulen, ABi, Executive Director, Alisha Vincent, Public Affairs Director for the Rosen Group, Bruce Baker, Middlebury Jewelry And Design in Vermont, and Judie Raiford, Raiford Gallery located outside Atlanta. As you can see, these are people who really kow how to appreciate a talented sock monkey like yours truly! I hope they come to see me again!

Artie Reflects on Life

Recent events in New Orleans and other areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina have forced me to pause and reflect on life. It can be hard to be convivial right now. Still, I am grateful for everything I have - my friends Guido, Polly, Sally Sock Monkey, WV Sock Monkey - even for Beth Bear. I am also blessed that I am surrounded by beauty, creativity and kindness every single day. My conclusion is that it is good to be a sock monkey in West Virginia.

Now it is time for me to return to my duties directing convivial sock monkey happenings at Tamarack.

Artie