KCF and the Giant Peach
In fourth grade — let me see if I can do the math — circa 1989 or so, my book report prop was so fantastic it was placed on display in the school library for all to behold.
It’s fun to look back on this now and think about how that was likely my first artist exhibition, a solo show of my own making simply because of my tendency to go way over the top on school assignments.
My dad played a pivotal role. And actually, as I’m thinking on it, it was basically a family affair. Mama helped me paper mâché the tumbleweeds that Dad collected from the fences down by the bike trail. And then after we had crafted our large object we spray painted it to resemble the fruit that would routinely fall off the trees in our backyard.
Mrs. Gooch LOVED the giant peach I made to share about one of my favorite books when it was time for the whole ordeal. It was truly an ordeal, I couldn’t just pack the giant sculpture in my backpack and ride the bus in, this thing had to be delivered to school special. Is this where my love of the large object originates?!
While the peach was truly something to witness, I really basked in the attention. Because of the spectacle, all the adults recognized they had something special, and so the peach was wheeled off to the library and a quick display of Roald Dahl books were amassed and classes took trips to visit the peach and wow oh wow did I feel famous for the day.
What I want to focus on is how much I love books. For those who have been around for a while, I am of the era and generation of Pizza Hut Book-it fame. And my love of reading was cultivated by Dad’s nightly reading to me and my brother before bed. Reading has always been a haven for me. It feels so magical to read words and make images of them in my mind.
It’s so critical to my painting practice that I am reading all the time because I’m using the similar muscles of imagination when I come to my canvas.
And shout out to the Acoma Elementary School librarian for openly embracing my giant peach when it was rolled down the halls. School librarians should be celebrated every day but ESPECIALLY on April 4th which is designated National School Librarian Day!
This last year I had a full circle moment as lover of books and lover of libraries when I was the Inaugural Artist in Residence at the Fergus Falls Public Library. While on residency for a few months I taught classes, got to see the magic that librarians work EVERY day in terms of programming and supporting patrons. And I worked on what I think is truly one of my masterpieces.
And I didn’t even have to roll it down the hall for display, it just magically appeared on the wall because of the lovely care the librarians take in their space.
I just wanted to pass this little love of mine of books and library spaces and schools your way. To share that the things we love and care deserve to be reflected in art, and supported with public dollars and community care.
Let’s keep fighting for these spaces because boy oh boy, would I have never known the trajectory I’d take from KCF and the Giant Peach to now.
Love,
KCF
PS: You can support this reader and painter by becoming a member of my Ko-Fi club. I share WIP and other goodies on that space for my monthly supporters.