It is with a very heavy heart that I address you our members, friends and readers this day after our nation sustained a heavy blow.  On perhaps the proudest day in Boston historically, Patriot's day- The Boston Marathon and the Red Sox game drew a heavy crowd- we were visciously attached and many were injured- some gravely and others have died. This cowardly act of insanity was designed to instil terror in us, to cripple our hearts and minds and paralyze us from living fully in the present and pursuing the American dream.

Americans are as diverse as the flowers of the field- from every nation, tribe and tongue each pursuing the right to be happy, find love- pursue their passion and finding the safety and protection and the liberty to be unique without prejudice.  There is a constant striving towards unity because this diversity brings with it some tentions as we work out how to live together.  But one thing unites us all today- we are Americans, and we take care of our own.  We collectively grieve that this evil act has stricken us and we let go of our differences in favor of the unity that we feel this day.

So we will not let our enemies triumph over us and cause us to be prisoners in our hearts.  Many people have fought and died giving us this freedom and we stand in it.

  We will go on to pursue our passions, to create our art with more intensity, to love deeper, forgive quicker and just plain thrive. One common bond unites us all- we are Americans and we choose freedom from fear, to lend a helping hand wherever it is needed and to encourage each other to stand tall in the face of adversity.  

For those who pray are praying, those who serve are serving, those who have to give are giving- this is who we are.

Let's move forward together, as one united front.  We are artists- let our art speak.

My gratitude for each of you is in my heart today.  My prayers are with those in Boston, and for our nation.

Very warmly and sincerely yours,

Sarah Tallarico

Gallery Director

Wickford Art Association

 

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

 

-- Helen Keller

 

 

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won.  There have been tyrants, and murders, and for a long time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall.  Think of it--always.

 

-- Mahatma Gandhi

 

No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, for greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world.

--Jesus