"This Is My Story"

Next week, Creative Spirit Center unveils its first ever members' and instructors' open exhibit. We are throwing the doors open wide for this show, inviting submission of all 2-D and 3-D art, video installations, and multimedia projects that tell a story. In addition to the members' and instructors' works, the exhibit will include an encore presentation of entries in the Chippewa Nature Center's 2nd Annual Celebrate Nature through Art contest.

This Is My Story, the exhibit's theme, is the counterpoint to Creative Spirit Center's Winter/Spring 08 theme of "Share Your Story," which itself is a facet of our year-long theme, Reconnect!

Recently, I have heard many references to the benefits of telling stories about one's life and experience. Sharing these stories builds community, enriches family life, and enables individuals to re-examine themselves in light of the stories that they tell.

Ruth Reichl, editor of Gourmet magazine and former restaurant critic of The New York Times, explicitly alerts readers of her memoirs Tender at the Bone and Comfort Me with Apples that she embellishes the story of her life. She admits that in order to make a better story she alters events, combines several individuals into one character, and even changes outcomes. She also mentions the benefits of telling the truth, though she initially felt uncomfortable revealing certain details of her decisions and inner process. Reichl thus takes the liberty of changing the facts but she also proclaims the value of opening intimate details of one's life story to the observation of others. Although at first I puzzled over her approach, on reflection I like her inconsistency. I'll grant this author her appropriation of all options for telling about her life. Instead of consistency, I'll take an engaging story.

So, "Share Your Story" in the way that works for you. Tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; or make up a passel of lies; or take small liberties with the facts; or shape an allegory with beautiful images. The funny thing is, if it's your story, it will all end up being absolutely true.