K. Steward Photo

“Festival Magic... What's the big deal?”

The first year I attended SPIN's festival was 2008. I was beyond excited and signed up for as many things as I could. I knew a grand total of four people. Every person I spoke to (because I was lost) made me feel like we had been friends for years and we were just catching up. The beauty of Santa Fe was breathtaking in many ways. The altitude and the dry heat made me walk slowly and experience the stunning beauty of the IAIA campus. These were moments of magic.

My roommate, Suzanne Visor, whom I'd met through Diane Tuckman, was gracious and exceedingly patient with my constant peppering of questions.
Suzanne kindly acted as my shepherd and tour guide. That first afternoon we were lucky enough to run into the founders of SPIN,Diane and Jan Janas,in a parking lot. They were photographing storm clouds. As the sky changed,they generously shared this magic with us.

After dinner and the promised thunderstorm, we attended an event call a Carnival. We were greeted with a cacophony of voices. This hum of ideas,colors,textures and shared enthusiasm were cobbled together, created a sensory overload for me. Try as I may, my spellbound sleep was interrupted with splashes of ideas and questions generated by the evening’s Carnival.

The next morning I was less than rested but it hardly mattered. Off I went to my classes,excited and quasi prepared. The intensity of each class taught by my passionate instructors only made the experience even more magical.

I remember the Art exhibit as not only jaw dropping but humbling as well. Again there was the buzz of excitement as artists stood by their works ready to speak to technique or inspiration questions. I stared in awe at the works shared. Artists even took the time to politely ask me questions about my entries. The magical sense of inclusion permeated the gallery’s atmosphere. 
The conference portion of the festival was extremely well planned and attended. I still have the notes I took during those presentations.

The week flew by in a blur and just as I thought I was adjusting to the pace everything came to a halt. It was time for the crown jewel of SPIN’s festival. This culminating event was the fashion show. All of us had brought our best wearable piece for this show. Some were actually in the show but we each held back one to decorate ourselves. Once again my roomie help me figure out how to best wear my overlong Shibori scarf I'd slaved over the month before.She even had the proper scissors to snip the errant threads I'd missed.

We mingled with our fellow attendees at the Scottish Rites center. The whisper of silk on silk incongruently mixed with the bombardment of color and diversity of styles. The house lights faded and we were treated not only to a Flamenco guitarist and dancer but a live silk painting performed by Lee Zimmerman. Each mesmerizing stroke of dye appeared on the white silk perfectly timed with the music. When the final chord was strummed,and the finishing pose was held by the dancer, the painting was completed. The piece was a magical rendition of the dancer herself! After much applause I figured the fashion show to be almost a shadowed afterthought. I was incredibly mistaken!

Every model, also a dancer, brought artistry and energy to each piece they wore. When my scarf appeared on stage I almost didn't recognize it. On the beautiful model, center stage, accompanied with music, my first ever fashion show scarf was quite lovely. This was strong magic. This particular potion was a life changing experience for me.

I reluctantly packed and prepared to leave. Even though,I'd missed my family and home, I realized I didn't want this “never-never land” experience,created by SPIN, to end. I left energized with ideas,inspiration and several new friends. I think all of us carried festival magic home hoping it would last at least two years.

 KAKI  STEWARD