today a dream came true

A couple years ago, I found out about a "miniature" art show that takes place at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole. The art is small, not the show! And then I had a chance to visit Jackson Hole, and the museum itself. And I decided that I would submit my scrimshaw to that extremely selective show for the rest of my life until some time in old age I might actually get in.

So I applied the first time, and was rejected.

I applied again the following year, and waited, and waited, and waited...

In November, I received a phone call from the NMWA informing me that I was in the top ten finalists in the jewelry/artisan category (which they felt would be a better fit versus fine art, I'm down with that). I was told I would know by the end of December. Yeah, can you believe I managed to NOT blog about that!? I wanted to wait until I knew for sure...

Well that came and went, and in early January I finally broke down and contacted them, and was told that decisions would be made in late January. Well that came and went.

In early February my submission materials were returned to me in an envelope with no explanation. I took this is a rejection, but never was able to get an answer to my inquiries.

I'd pretty much given up, and planned to reapply this coming summer.

Today I got an email telling me that I've been selected....

OMG!!!!!!!!!! I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SHOCKED. Absolutely shocked, overjoyed, thrilled. OMG. I'm just totally overwhelmed by this news.

*I* am going to be showing art in Jackson Hole, WY in September of 2010. This is freakin' awesome!

(And yes, that means I have a lot of work to do and a whole lot of logistics to figure out! And if anyone has friends or family in Jackson Hole who might let me sleep on the floor, please let me know!!!)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!