labor and delivery = new ctt website

I feel like I've been in labor all summer with the new Change the Truth website. Well, yesterday was its birth day! Hurrah! Check it out when you have a few minutes.

I'd like to thank:

Kevin Potts: web designer
Dave Rappe: graphic designer
Brian Reisinger: logo designer
Marti Johnson: proofreader extraordinaire
Melissa Mosher: writer
Suzanne Garr: photographer
Christy Radecic: photographer
EG Schempf: photographer
Michael Spillers: photographer
Lynne Melcher: filmmaker
Eddie Feinstein: writer, proofreader, consultant, provider of moral support

evalyn's story

One of the Ugandan children who had a profound impact on Team 4 member, Avis Smith, was a young girl named Evalyn. Avis wrote an account of her new friend a couple months ago and sent it, along with a photo she had taken, to me via email. I've been saving it for a special occasion on the blog.

Today is my birthday, and that's a special occasion in my life. I'm posting this story about Evalyn because she probably has no idea when her birthday is. There are tens of thousands of children in Uganda who have no idea when their birthday is. So, on the occasion of mine, I'd like to wish them all, especially Evalyn, a happy birthday today. The fact that you were born, Evalyn, is actually something we should all celebrate each and every day.

Here is Avis' moving description of the birthday girl, Evalyn:

‘Sheela, my daughter, open the door to your mother… Sheela, my daughter, open the door to your mother. She-sheela, She-sheelah… I’m around.’

This is the chorus of a song embedded in an African folk tale that Evalyn taught me one morning at SMK. The story does not have a happy ending. The daughter, left without her mother’s protection, is eaten by a hungry lion. The story resonates deeply with Evalyn. She, like the child in the story, no longer has a mother who ‘is around.’

Evalyn is 12 years old and has been at SMK since she was 7. She is a quiet, shy child.

Evalyn never knew her father. He died around the time of her birth. Her mother was killed by the rebels, and their village was burned while Evalyn and her two siblings hid in the bush. The children were eventually united with their grandmother and lived with her until she became too ill to care for them. Evalyn reports that her aunt eventually brought them to SMK.

Evalyn’s story and song tumbled out as she drew pictures of her past life. Then she began to draw her present life at SMK. It was filled with simple items: her school, her bed, her blanket, her sandals, all bursting with color and activity. Of SMK, she wrote: ‘Here, life is changed. We sleep well.’

As the noonday sun bore down upon us, Evalyn worked on a third art panel depicting her life going forward. Then she wrote: “’n the future, if I grow up, I want to live in a flat and become a nurse.’ That tiny word ‘if’ took my breath away.

Evalyn already knows that life is hard and sometimes frightening and unpredictable. She takes nothing for granted. Not the past or the present or the future.

Yet she has a quiet spirit that runs deep. She moves in the shadows of SMK, making sure her siblings and the younger children are well cared for. She is kind and generous and loving. She has not given up on life. She is planning and dreaming of the future, but living life fully and completely in the present.

In my future, I want to be more like her.”

- Avis Smith, member of Team 4 and board member of Change the Truth

guest post by monique udo

Monique, who hails from the Netherlands, is just about to complete her month-long volunteer stint at the orphanage. She has worked very hard teaching the children how to read music and how to play a lot of new instruments. It's funny - I've never met Monique. We planned her trip solely through emails. In fact, it was an internet search of non-profits active in Uganda that led her to CTT in the first place. That said, I do feel like we've gotten to know one another through our shared love for the children at SMK. (The fact that her two star sax players just happen to be Tony and Oscar... well, anyone who has ever seen me at SMK knows these boys have a very special place in my heart.) Here is a note I recently received from Monique. She, working alongside music teacher Ivan, seems to have worked music miracles this past month in Kajjansi. Thank you, Monique. I know the children have loved having you become part of their lives and will be sorry to see you go.

"Music at SMK!

I’m at SMK since three weeks and a lot of music is going on here. Apart from the music lessons I give, there is the marching band, the dance groups with drums and African harps, and a choir. I’m adding saxophone lessons, recorder groups, sheet music to learn how to play from staff notation, melodicas, guitar playing and the popular ‘cup game’. Imagine happening all of this at the same moment (which happens sometimes…). It sounds like band camp at SMK these weeks. I have some amazing saxophone students (Tony and Oscar) who can play for hours and hours. They learned how to play the saxophone and read notes so incredible quick, they’ve set a new standard for my pupils at home. Since CTT has been purchasing more saxophones with donated money, there are six saxophones at SMK now so the marching band can add a new flavor to its sound.

From the recorder groups, I scouted a few younger children who are starting to play the trumpet.
It’s fun to see those kids blowing, they are doing better than me, so they have fun too, when I give it a try. It’s interesting to see that different children have a talent for different instruments. It’s a good thing that we have all kinds of instruments around so everyone can find the instrument that fits him or her best.

Last week we organized an informal ‘music meeting’ where several groups and individual children performed songs that they had learned. It was a very nice gathering and another one is on schedule for the coming week.

So far, I am looking back on a very productive and fulfilling stay where I’ve come to know many talented, sweet and kind children and the wonderful and inspiring people around them. It’s been a great stay!"

- Monique

guest post by melissa mosher

"Happy One Year to Us!

This past week I have been shaking my head in constant amazement that one year has passed since our arrival to Uganda. One whole year… 12 full months... 2 rainy seasons… 3 school terms. This move to Uganda was the largest leap of faith that I have ever taken, but the rewards have been beyond measure.

Recently there have been reminders about how settled Antwain and I have become in our lives in Uganda. Visitors have literally thought Antwain was Ugandan as his accent and mannerisms have assimilated so much to Ugandan ways. And I have received many compliments from adults and children about being a ‘real African woman. ‘ When we moved here, I wanted to live as simplistically as possible. I chose to wash my own clothes, mop my own floors, prepare my own meals integrating as many Ugandan local dishes as possible, and navigate public transportation. This was my conscious choice, and there have been times when it has been challenging, frustrating, and tiresome.

But one year later, there are a lot of fruits from that labor. On most days, I efficiently run my own household. I can wash some pretty ridiculous things, even heavy towels and blankets. I can prepare almost all of the Ugandan dishes (although there is still a lot more for me to learn). There are becoming fewer and fewer places/areas within Kampala that I have not visited. I have had the opportunity to travel to see the beautiful splendor of other parts of Uganda. I have learned the dance of bartering with market vendors or boda drivers and get amused when Ugandans recognize that I am a knowledgeable muzungu (white person). But admittedly, my Luganda is still very poor (although Antwain is almost fluent in his understanding).

For Antwain it has been a year for him to blossom. I continue to be amazed by Antwain every single day. He has grown taller and matured physically. But it has been the changes in his character, confidence in his academic performances, and the displays of profound friendship that have really transformed Antwain. He has been happier, healthier, and freer than I have ever seen him before. He has also displayed incredible patience and generosity with our enlarged household. Although Antwain still misses the conveniences of America, I can see that he now harbors a greater appreciation for them. It is still uncertain how this experience living in Uganda will shape the young man he is becoming, but I will never regret bringing him here to Uganda during such formable years.

And SMK…a place that I fell in love with back in 2007 still holds a cherished place in my heart. I still have moments (even after a whole year), where I will literally stop, look around, and revel in being at SMK. It still feels incredible to be living this dream! I continue to hold the utmost respect for the daily mission and dedication of Rosemary Kavulu and the entire staff at SMK. I am awed by the incredible support that Rosemary has had throughout the years from her husband, Joseph, and her children. In addition, it has been inspiring to witness the collaborative efforts of so many ‘friends’ of the orphans, like Change The Truth, Touch The World, Kyklou, and a few others who collaboratively are making some significant improvements to otherwise forgotten orphans. I wholeheartedly believe that it does take a village to raise a child here in Africa, and for me, it will be one of the greatest honors of my life to know that I was gifted with the opportunity to be a part of that village.

I am also reminded daily that I would not have the strength or endurance to be living my dreams in Uganda without the unconditional love and support of my family and friends. It is because I am so loved that I can love others. It is because I have champions in my corner that I can be champion for others. I will forever be appreciative for the selflessness of my loved ones who have endured long gaps in communication, a 9 hour time difference, a prolonged visit home, missed holidays and family celebrations, and additional obligations on my behalf.

There is still another year ahead of us. The journey is not over. There is still so much more that I want to experience and learn from Uganda. And remember there is always an open invitation to come and visit!"

- Melissa

almost time for some time off

The seasons roll on, and soon it will be Fall - my favorite. There will be so much to blog about in September, but for now I am due for a little blog break. I will be signing off for a a few days. Truth is, I am going to a spa/retreat for a week. There I will bask in the beauty of close friendships, a gorgeous landscape, silence, organic food, exercise, hiking, scrabble games, meditation, art classes, etc. I am going to try and stay away from trips into cyberspace, which includes writing blog posts.

Before I do so, I will be sharing a "guest post" from my son Max, who just so happens to be getting involved in a very interesting program that caters to the homeless in Boston. (Folks say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree... as my children get older, I am beginning to realize there is some truth to this.) Max's post will appear soon.

In the meantime, I'll whet your appetite with some of the topics that will be covered in September.

It will be time to begin introducing Team 5, an AMAZING group of volunteers who will be traveling with me to the orphanage in Uganda this December.

The brand spanking new CTT website will be launched. Lots of good stuff there.

I am firing up my portrait business again. That will happen in my groovy new studio space in the Livestock Exchange Building. Special deals will be offered to blog readers!

Monique Udo (from the Netherlands) has been at the orphanage teaching music to the kids since the end of July. You'll love hearing about her experience and seeing some of her pictures. Just know she wrote recently that the kids learning saxophone are "learning too fast!" Oscar and Tony apparently are practicing five hours a day. (These children never fail to impress and inspire their Mama Gloria.)

My grandson will turn one. Admit it. You know you'll want to see pictures of him eating processed sugar for the first time, right? Abbie and Sam have promised the guests at the party a big 'ol birthday cake, and Henry will get to dive right in!

Recent nursing school graduate (and CTT sponsored student) Douglas has begun working at the newly re-birthed SMK medical clinic. This is outstanding, hopeful news, and there will be much more info about this to follow.

Moses got his hearing aids. His adjustment to them, and the changes that have occurred in his life, are pretty fascinating.

Melissa and Antwain will be celebrating their one year anniversary in Uganda. Since we can't all go to the party, we'll have to settle for some words and pictures from the two of them.

So, you see... there are reasons to stay tuned. Look for Max's blog soon, and then I'll see you on the flip side of my break. Thanks for sticking with me. September will mark the 5th anniversary of this blog. Whoa. Who'd have thunk it?

And, with the permission of his mother, here is a rather funny and adorable (parting) shot of 11 month old Henry. He seems to be quite the explorer.

welcome new readers!

I am very pleased to be featured in the Kansas City Star Magazine this morning. For those of you who live outside of Kansas City, you can read the article here.

For those of you who are visiting my blog for the first time, welcome! I've been posting for almost four years now. I usually write about my photography and my work in Uganda, but I also sneak in articles about my family, my second home (Portland, Oregon) as well as lots of other photographers.

It's easy to find a previously covered topic. If you'd like to read about the centerpiece of this blog, the non-profit I founded, look for Change the Truth chapters (each represents one full year) under "labels." You may find it interesting to read about the orphaned students sponsored by Change the Truth ("Sponsored Students"), view some of the artwork made by the children ("Artwork by the Kids"), read about the volunteer team trips that I lead each December ("Uganda Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4") or our fundraisers that are held in June of each year ("Annual CTT Fundraiser").

I hope you'll find my blog an interesting stop on your cyberspace travels and that you'll visit regularly.

monique

Gotta love the wonders of the internet.

You've read in previous posts about a woman from the Netherlands who discovered the story of hearing impaired Moses (on this very blog) and who made it possible for him for receive donated hearing aids.

This same woman, Monique, will be traveling to the orphanage later this month! After a flurry of emails, some q & a, and the ironing out of some logistics, Monique will be spending her holiday (late July to late August) teaching music to the children at St. Mary Kevin. How lucky they are. How lucky she is!

It's time to introduce this special woman. I have never met her; we've only communicated online. But already she is a member of the Change the Truth family, and soon enough she will undoubtedly navigate her way into the hearts of the kids at SMK. Monique will not only help begin to teach the marching band members how to read music, she will introduce the recorder to younger kids, she will introduce her beloved saxophone to the band, and she will (if she can find a big enough box!) also introduce the tuba. She will also give the keyboard CTT purchased a good workout.

August will be the month of music at SMK. I am so grateful that Monique found us. There will be much more to come as she begins her month-long adventure - but for now - please meet Monique:

"Hi, my name is Monique Udo and I live in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I am a saxophone player and music teacher and the last 10 years I have dedicated myself more and more to music projects with children who grow up in less privileged circumstances.

I have worked in so called ‘black schools’ and with children in a centre for asylum seekers. It was there that I met very gifted children with a hunger for expressing themselves through music and dance. I loved working with them and started to realize fully how music can make a change for these children.

In December 2008 I accompanied my mother to Tulip Garden, an orphanage for children with HIV/AIDS in India. I took some flutes with me and for 10 days, I made music with the children: playing the flute, singing and drumming on buckets. After that, I knew I wanted to continue doing this. The joy that the music brought to this children and the eagerness they embraced it with was wonderful.

In 2009 I started the foundation “Muziek voor Kinderen” (Dutch for “Music for Children”). I organized a benefit concert with my Dutch pupils to raise money to buy instruments for the children in India, took a sabbatical from my job at the music school and went to Tulip Garden to stay there for four months. I bought keyboards, guitars, a saxophone, more recorders, melodica’s (blowing piano’s), and a small drum. I taught the children to play on the instruments and formed a music group of 18 children. With that group we give performances in other orphanages or hostels for children in the neighbourhood every time I’m there. I try to visit them at least once a year to keep them going. Luckily, I found a student who comes to teach keyboard every week, so now, after one year of playing the keyboard, some boys are playing the latest hits from the Indian movies!

Since I started these music projects, I’ve been searching the internet to find organizations who are doing something similar to what I’m doing. I came in contact with several organizations and orphanages where the children are brought up with music. I visited several of them and we are exchanging experiences, instruments and we help each other to realize projects.

When I came across the website of CTT during one of my surfing sessions, I immediately was very enthusiastic of what I read. I felt I would like to come over and give my share of changing the truth for the children at SMK. Soon after mailing with Gloria and Melissa it became clear to me that I would travel to Uganda in my summer holiday. From Melissa I got many good suggestions of which music activities could be done with the children so I know I will get busy over there. I’m looking forward to it!"


These are pictures from some of Monique's past projects. Soon we'll see our own kids in her photographs!

antwain

Is it possible that this is the same boy?

The answer is probably: yes and no.

Some of you may remember the slightly stubborn 11 year-old who proclaimed in front of a big crowd at the 3rd Annual CTT event that he was NOT excited about moving to Uganda. Personally, I don't remember seeing Antwain smile all that much during the moving process. It had to have been pretty overwhelming and scary.

He had to get all of his personal items into one piece of luggage. That's a lot of downsizing, especially for an American kid who has lots of things. He had to say goodbye to his friends and his family, his house, his school, Chipotle, beef jerkey, his bike, his Wii.

Antwain has been living in Uganda now for 10 months with his mom, CTT's amazing orphanage social worker and liaison. He just celebrated his 12th birthday. He has transformed from a kid to a young man in Ugandan, and I, for one, hope he writes a book about his experience one day.

Melissa wrote this about Antwain on her blog recently:

"One of Antwain’s greatest loves is playing the drums. His skills have really improved considerably since arriving in Uganda. He is confident and talented and content as he drums away to a rhythm that was I swear was born inside of him…the tall drum being his favorite to play.

As I was walking through the school the other day, I came upon an impromptu dance and drumming session with some of the children. My boy was leading the drumming troops as many girls practiced their dance movements. I could not see a trace of little boy in him at that moment, which made me a little sad but also extremely proud."

Antwain, I hope at the very least you're keeping a journal so that the book I'm hoping for is in the works!

more pics from the 4th annual ctt event

installation shots and some shoutouts

The CTT Friendraiser/Fundraiser was a success due in large part to the help of about 30 volunteers and the attendance of approximately 400 supporters.

From the registration table all the way through checkout, kids and adults alike gave their time and energy to make sure the evening turned out well. I can’t thank these generous and hard working people enough. Special kudos to Kathy Tracy, Sondra Atherly, Jennifer Smith, Susie Corbin and Jeff Mildner for heading up their sections.

The doll artists who donated their time and talent are to be congratulated and also thanked. Most everyone who saw the show and bid on the dolls felt this was an even stronger showing than the 2010 collection.

I’d also like to thank Lynne Melcher, our filmmaker, whose movie “Changes” was a huge hit as the centerpiece of the evening. This film will be used often in future presentations,; its value to CTT is immeasurable.

My husband Eddie, my sister Bobbie and my dear friend Carol all worked hard to make sure last minute details came together and I didn’t fall apart.

And finally, to all the people who crowded into the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center to be part of our 4th annual event: webale nnyo! (thanks in Lugandan) You are what makes this whole thing work. Your generous bids and donations go a long way toward helping the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. As I said in my remarks Friday night, many of you are getting to know some of the children, even if at a distance: Issy, Willy, Brian, Ivan, Douglas, Rosette and Nicky are just some of the names I hear rolling off your tongues as if you have met them. That has been my hope all along: for you to come to know these children.

We certainly celebrated them on Friday night. I hope they felt all the love streaming in their direction.











THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A DOLL!!

first installment of pics from ctt event!

Great pictures by CTT's good friend Michael Spillers.

team reunion

Pictures and details about the fantastic, stupendous 4th annual Change the Truth Friendraiser/Fundraiser will be posted soon. In the meantime, I wanted to share this picture that was taken at our team reunion Saturday afternoon. It's always great fun to be together again. I love these people so much.

Front row from left to right:

Eddie Feinstein, Suzanne Garr, Jeff Mildner, (me), Avis Smith, Jane Voorhees

Back row:

Jennifer Smith, Emily Collins, Carol Joseph, Lynne Melcher, David Muhammed

"changes"

That's the title of the new Change the Truth movie, which will have its first screening tomorrow night at the Friendraiser/Fundraiser. Be sure you're there by 8:00 for the 8:05 showing. The film is only 14 minutes long, but in it Lynne Melcher (cinematographer, producer and editor) manages to splendidly tell the story of the children and how they have been helped thus far by CTT.

Lynne has once again created a magnificent film. It's moving, informative, sweet and beautiful. I got to shoot some footage for it since Lynne did not go to the orphanage this past year. I used my Canon 5D, and though I was and still am a raw beginner, it was great fun to play filmmaker for a little while. Lynne has set the film to great music, the script is crisp and the editing is really impressive.

I hope you'll get to watch it tomorrow night. If you can't make it and would like to order a copy, please let me know. The DVD sells for $15.

Bravo to Lynne! CTT is incredibly lucky to have a friend like her.

I am grateful to her for pouring her heart into her fourth CTT film. I know she does it because she loves the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage. Could there be a better reason?

marie mason

Marie Mason is well known in this part of the country for her paintings of dogs, jazz musicians and assorted other lovelies. She is a down to earth, no nonsense, gentle and funny woman who loves to work in her garden and in her studio (in beautiful Weston, Missouri). She is a dog/cat lover and supporter extraordinaire. I recently commissioned her to paint a portrait of Sam, our almost-17-year old Bichon. It's a wonderful piece!



Marie's doll will be part of the live auction. This is what she wrote about her:

"When I picked up my doll, brought her home and took a look at her, I was truly amazed at her beauty. Some child in another country created a lovely lady out of leaves…this figure was grand without any embellishment! What kind of improvement could be made?

I brought her up to my studio and she just lingered on my drawing table for days! I first envisioned her housed in some kind of porch setting with a soft cloth covering above her so that she would be protected from the elements. I thought of cloth wings, grass fields, and finally just a beautiful day. I wanted to create this beautiful day for her to exist in. Warm, but not hot, with a soft wind blowing and a few clouds for shade. A cloth cloud came to mind, but how would that work over time…. Then I came up with the cloud cape idea.

Last summer a friend’s 10-year-old granddaughter visited my studio. Together we got seriously involved in making paper mache animals. I learned a lot about the new materials that are available…. and so I decided to create a cloud cape and a bonnet to protect this lovely doll from the vicissitudes of a hot or stormy day. She would wear the clouds as a kind of armor and protection from the elements. Even though her feet are on the ground, she will always be protected with her cloud cape and sun hat.

I hope that this doll figure will carry a wish to the orphaned children so far away. May imaginary capes of clouds and bonnets of sun be some kind of protection from hardships."

jane voorhees

One of the best things about Change the Truth is that it has introduced me to so many wonderful new friends. Jane Voorhees is one of them. I had never met her when we began discussing the possibility of traveling together to Uganda in 2007. She became a member of my very first team. What a unique, quick and fabulous way to get to know someone! We shared tears and laughter right out of the starting gate.



Jane has been an unwavering friend to these children... she has been since the minute she got her first big hugs from the children upon our arrival at the orphanage. "Mama Jane" is a special woman in so many ways. I've always loved her artwork and was so happy when she chose to incorporate her use of painted boxes in this year's doll. This beautiful piece will be part of the live auction Friday night.

Jane has this to say about her experience at SMK and with Change the Truth.

"I was fortunate to have traveled to Uganda with Gloria (Team One) to teach art at SMK. This was a life changing experience for me. The children were so lovely, so appreciative of everything, expecting so little in life. At this time they often were not getting three meals a day. Gloria has changed this. This land was as red as the sky in my painted landscapes, and it was so dark at night due to very few lights on the roads. Often packed into huts, going about their lives were the people of Uganda - attempting to escape civil war and AIDS. CTT has made a bold change in the lives of the African children at SMK. Education can certainly be the cure for them."

little paintings + beads = beautiful jewelry

Not everyone can afford to buy one of the original paintings by Oscar, Willy, Isabella, Nicky, Ivan and the other talented young artists whose work will be on display Friday night.

Here is an awesome alternative, one you can even wear!

Blue Infinity Designs has shrunk scans of the artwork down to teeny tiny versions of themselves. The resulting little squares are mounted onto scrabble-esque wooden tiles and covered with a thick protective coating. A bail, a cord, some colorful glass and silver beads and voila! You've got very cool wearable art by the children from St. Mary Kevin Orphanage.

These pieces will make their debut on Friday night. Look for a special table, staffed by high school volunteers, near the Kajjansi Marketplace. The girls will help you select just the right piece from the collection of necklaces and bracelets. This is the first time we've ever offered these; I had no idea how many to order. We may run out! If so, orders can be placed.

Bracelets and necklaces that have beads are $28.00 each.

Necklaces that consist only of a cord and a tile are $15.00 each. Extra tiles are $12.00.

leslie mark

There is little I can add to Leslie's description of her doll and the inspiration behind it, except to say that she has been a loyal friend to Change the Truth (from the very beginning). This doll is magnificent. It's poignant and powerful and has oh so much to say about our connection to the children in Uganda... and, in fact, about the children themselves.

The tags that hang from the branches each contain a few lines from the psalm. They are strung with thread, and when the air moves around the doll, they dance a bit. Leslie's is a very hopeful and uplifting piece. It is 46" high, winning the award for tallest doll! It will be included in the live auction Friday night. It currently has a bid of $100.

“I was very moved recently by a radio conversation between Krista Tippett (author of ‘Speaking of Faith’) and Bobby McFerrin. His rephrased translation and musical interpretation of the 23rd Psalm was uplifting. I immediately thought about the children at St. Mary Kevin, strong in their faith, even as their lives have been remade by war, disease and loss of parents.



There is a Jewish saying, ‘Torah is the tree of life to those who embrace it,’ which imagery has always tickled my imagination. And McFerrin’s swapping out of pronouns in his interpretation of the 23rd Psalm tugged at me, perhaps more since my mother passed away. Thus my banana doll is elevated in the beautiful river birch branches, surrounded by flowers and little ‘pearls of wisdom,’ dancing with McFerrin’s music around her, lifted up by the spirit of the psalm.

May we all be so nurtured, loved and inspired.


The 23rd Psalm
interpreted by Bobby McFerrin – ‘Dedicated to my Mother’

The Lord is my shepherd, I have all I need,
She makes me lie down in green meadows,
Beside the still waters, She will lead

She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs,
She leads me in a path of good things,
And fills my heart with songs.

Even though I walk, through a dark and dreary land,
There is nothing that can shake me,
She has said she won’t forsake me, I’m in her hand.

She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes
She anoints my head with oil, And my cup overflows.

Surely, surely goodness and kindness will follow me,
All the days of my life, And I will live in her house,
Forever, forever and ever.

Glory be to our Mother, and Daughter,
And to the Holy of Holies,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World, without end. Amen.”

tabbetha mccale evans

"I have lived in Kansas City most my life and have been constructing textiles from a young age. I learned to knit, sew, crochet and embroider from my mom and grandma. As a kid, I was always making something for my self or my dolls. I used to create whole environments for my dolls sewing furniture from fabric, making tables from discarded blocks of wood even making small paper books and notebooks.



The love of creating continued and led me to the Kansas City Art Institute and the fiber department. In college, I started a series of fetish dolls. I worked on these for a couple of years, but abandoned them for other kinds of projects. When I found out about the CTT fundraiser, I was excited for two reasons: First, to help such a wonderful cause, second, a chance to get back to making dolls.

I have been lucky enough to work for a few great Kansas City textile havens. I worked for years at Cy Rudnick’s fabrics, then after college worked at Asiatica. Currently I design full time for Peruvian Connection where I have worked for about 17 years, a job that allows me to travel the world and feed my loved of ethnographic textiles." - Tabbetha

Tabbetha is new to the Doll Project this year. She is another artist I have had the privilege of meeting for the first time. Philomene Bennett recommended that I get in touch with Tabbetha, and I'm very glad I did. Isn't this a lovely doll?

DON'T FORGET!! BIDDING ON THE DOLLS HAS BEGUN. IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND THE EVENT ON THE 24TH AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A STAND-IN BIDDER WORK ON YOUR BEHALF, GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO FIND OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN!

Tabbetha's doll has a current bid of $75.