Yet another appreciative message is buoying staff spirits: a hand-painted card of thanks to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum for providing Art Kits to encourage artistic pursuits.
Since last summer, Museum staff have developed and provided more than 2,000 free Art Kits to complement artworks on view. Now, during the Museum’s proactive closure, Art Kits are available anytime 24/7 via curbside pickup from the Stop-by Studio. And since November, 400 Art Kits have been shared with Aspirus, Inc. for frontline healthcare workers, to be used with an array of self-care materials.
Museum staff were deeply impressed that an Aspirus Wausau Hospital nurse took the time in late December to mail an Art-Kit-inspired collage along with a thank-you note, mentioning that stopping “the craziness of life to be creative was just what I needed.”
Then just after the holidays, a hand-painted thank-you card appeared in the Museum’s birdhouse-inspired Stop-by Studio with this message:
“I wanted to drop a note to say a big Thank You for all the grab-n-go art bags! I love taking art classes and frequently bring my five nieces and nephews to the art museum! They love doing projects and run, when I come, asking ‘do you have projects in your car?’ As I frequently do. The pandemic has hit me hard, and while I am gratefully employed, my ability to supply ‘projects’ has diminished. So thank you for being a bright light in five children’s day!”
In last week’s blog highlighting the nurse’s collage and thank-you note, Kathy Foley, Woodson Art Museum director, wrote “With 2020 in the rearview mirror, the Woodson Art Museum staff looks to a brighter future, abundant opportunities to enhance lives through art, and share random acts of kindness as often as possible. What small gestures will you share that could yield a big impact?”
The virtuous circle of kind acts continues, lifting spirits, and providing welcome boosts at just the right time.
To keep the cycle going, Kathy’s challenge is worth reiterating. What encouraging gesture could you share that might brighten someone’s day?
