Mary Claire Duran
My thoughts as a thirty year career as an art educator comes to an end are on where to direct my energies next. I want to get involved in the Riverfront Conservancy and make sure that our riverwalk to the bridge gets developed. To me that would be a true work of art--a litter-free place to enjoy the water embellished with natural plantings and sculptures. Also, my dream is for the public school students of Detroit to have a school ship--a place where every fifth grade class can go out on the water and learn about stewardship of our river.
Well, that is a pretty big dream, but not impossible I think. If it were made a part of the next bond proposal and there was a campaign to inform the voters we might have a chance. With the billions being spent on new facilities, why couldn’t we have this type of facility? Perhaps it could be a partnership as the renovation of the former Boblo boat St. Claire moves forward.
I am a fiber artist--weavings, quilts, wall hangings, anything that has to do with fabric and yarns and clothing. I am not sure I get the same satisfaction when I finish a non-functional piece as when I finish a functional piece. Or maybe it’s a different kind of satisfaction or maybe it has to do with the function of a non-functional piece being simply to be a piece of art. I am not going to bother my head too much about this, just going to continue having fun in my studio. -MD
