The Creative Spirit of a Community: Laurel Seidl and The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery (originally published 7/14/24)

Transition occurs, and this week our community is honoring and grieving the loss of a beloved gallery director from the eastern part of our basin. The creative spirit of our community was embodied in Laurel Seidl and the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery.
No man is an island,
Entire of itself;
Every man is a piece of the continent,A part of the main.

If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less,
As well as if a promontory were:
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were.

Any man's death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.   
—John Donne
In  France July 14,  signifies la fête nationale, often called Bastille Day, which honors the values of liberty, equality,  fraternity and the unity of the nation.
Hot July can signify a time for fierce patriotism and time for family escapes. It’s my birthday month and special to me. In the Mojave Desert, we’ve had intense heat – and we are ready for a retreat – perhaps from the busyness of the world. And, yes, current events send us reeling each day.
I am grateful I chose Encouragement Only for the title of my Substack and will continue with the original intention I set: I want this to be a breath of fresh air and a word of encouragement. I want to come along side you with some practical tips and good things I am discovering every day. 2024 will be an interesting year!
MIND     BODY     SOUL     SPIRIT
Small acts can make a big splash in a modest community. Even in an enormous area such as Greater Los Angeles with 13 million people, each small neighborhood is a village.
This week I am pondering friendship and community. We are all part of a greater whole as John Donne eloquently wrote. I am carefully choosing to give myself grace and consider my next endeavor. Encouraging morning texts from dear friends means a lot and put a smile on my face.
Recently, a new gallery in Yucca Valley, the Hi-Desert Artists, opened. Hungry for community and a party, over 500 attended the opening! Incredible in this small town.
Transition occurs, and this week we are honoring and grieving the loss of a beloved gallery director from the eastern part of our basin. The creative spirit of our community was embodied in Laurel Seidl and the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery.
Yes, the name makes one  think, “What in the heck?” upon first hearing about  the space in desolate Wonder Valley, east of 29 Palms, CA. Founder/ director Laurel had been a school bus driver, and when she approached a local galley with her artworks, her art was rejected. She was determined to create a gallery where all could show art! And she did. Her only restriction - she semi-jokingly said, “I will not show pornography - and I know it when I see it.”
Eventually, her venue became one of the most popular in the desert, featuring top local artists and those from around the country. For many years, there was a four year wait list and recently, she created more  gallery space. Continue reading and view photos at Substack.