Creative Expression + Chance Meeting = changing the world

The unique chairs pictured in this post are the result of a chance meeting that turned into creative expression changing the world, one Grandma at a time.  Getting involved in this project was creative candy and I got to share it with my creative daughter, the gift that changed my life in the most creative ways.

In early fall 2013, I was standing in line at a local thrift store.  A lovely lady with sparkly eyes and radiating positive energy stood behind me holding two children’s chairs.  I love painting furniture and the artist in me was already thinking about how I would paint those scratched up plain beige chairs.  I was curious as to what this lady had in mind for her precious finds. ‘Are you going to use them as is or are you going to paint them?’ I asked.

It was a divine exchange and I walked away with the lady’s contact information.  I really looked forward to contributing to the cause those little chairs supported.  Another kind soul brought the chairs I picked right to my home.  It turns out the two are part of the West Van Gogos , a group of Grandmothers who had a goal of collecting 100 children chairs to auction off in the Spring of 2014.

The chairs were given to artists to paint however they wanted to.  I ended up taking 2 chairs, one for me, one for my daughter who agreed to also contribute.  What a gift is was to see her work her magic as her chair came to life.

All proceeds go through the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign to help African grandmothers caring for their grandchildren orphaned by Aids.

Childrens Chair Auction

Viewing and On-line Auction at childrenschairauction.com from March 15 until April 30.

The In Person Silent Auction and Sale is Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 1:00-5:00pm at the West Van Rec Centre in West Vancouver.

Engage. Connect. Expand.  Take the time to get to know who’s around you, because THAT is changing the world.  Why get impatient when standing in line when the universe throws you a juicy nugget like that.

Who’s standing in line with you ready to make that change?  Share your story!