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Thinking Out loud
Funny thing about how life works out. I am back in the basement and nurturing my creative spark once again. Over the summer I worked on modest renovations to make this place cozy. I wanted the feel of the creative space of youth with a bit of folksy elegance. I want the visitor to feel welcome and to enjoy the art without feeling the need or pressure to buy anything.
I have always created. In high school I would head to our basement and be content with the silence. Our family home was in a suburb south of Detroit. Our basement was like a family room and really quite cozy. I just had to pick a time in-between my brother being at football practice and when I was called to wash dinner dishes. This was the late 60's, a time of rebellion, the Beatles and bouffant hair. I was all in. Honestly, I had no idea of my parents' struggles. I was reading teen magazines and watching Ed Sullivan for my cultural clues.
This opportunity was born upon retirement from the public school system. I tried freelancing in professional music and art, but had a harder time when children entered the scene. I returned to the university late in life most often being the oldest person in class including my professors. I took my first position teaching at the age of 50. I retired at 70. Staring at my shoes I wondered aloud what to do with the classroom kiln that belonged to me. I lived in an apartment. My friend and colleague suggested I move my kiln to her basement. I thought that was an odd offer, but turns out the basement was in the building she owned! Thus Silverbird Studio was given wind under wings.
This basement was once a bar known as "The Hole" and the title alone should tell you about the space. The stairs (featured in the photo) are steep and were called by one visitor, "drunk-killer-stairs" to be sure, I cannot imagine coming down these stairs knowing you were going to be drinking. Drunk on art is one thing, drunk on al-kee-hall is another.
November 3, 2025