March newsletter - The Miracle of Small Acts of Kindness

“I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” (Mother Teresa)

I was probably the happiest person on planet Earth when, on February 18th, I received the news that my installation, Kaddish for Michael, was selected as one of 30 finalists in the sculpture and installation section of The Arte Laguna Prize in Venice, Italy. I knew that presenting my work at this international show would be the most important opportunity I had in my artistic career so far. I also knew that it meant March would turn into a very busy and hectic month for me. Still, not in my wildest dreams could I imagine that organizing and preparing for this exhibition would turn into a life-changing experience.

Keeping in mind that I only had one month to prepare for the show, I knew that if I wanted this to happen I would have to ask for help – from whoever was willing. However, when time came to ask, I found myself feeling scared and vulnerable. I feared that people would judge me for asking, I feared to be refused, I feared that none would understand how much work was actually required. On the top of it, I made this whole situation even more absurd for myself as I constantly remembered the quote I so often use at my lessons: “Express your needs or live with the consequences”.

Life put me in a situation of choice: give up the whole project, or swallow the frog. I chose the second - I decided to embrace my own vulnerability and fears, to jump into the unknown and see if I can swim. “After all, art is the most important thing in my life,” I thought.

And do you know what happened? A Miracle! A miracle of small acts of kindness. So many people helped: they offered me advice, they helped me with translation, they forwarded my letters to friends, they gave me a car ride, they came for a few (and sometimes many) hours to help me, they gave me donations and sponsorships...the list could continue on and on. I could not believe what I was whitnesing - People enjoyed giving without expecting anything in return; not only one or two people, but a whole battalion of friends, acquaintances, former and current students, and even complete strangers. Seeing this, I felt flooded with gratitude for the care and support I had received. I realised that this March had not been only about the 3rd birthday of ASB nor my art project in Venice - it was about something much, much more important. It brought me the understanding that by building my little art school in the past three years, not only a place for learning was establieshed, but also a caring, giving community of people. Art School in Budapest is not only about art, it is about people, it is about people like you and me who dare to dream and act and care and share. It is about building the kind of world we would like to see arround us. Understanding that ASB is a community is heeling for me. It restores my trust in the idea that we are all connected - the trust that when I need something it will be given to me and that in the important moments of my life I do not need to be alone; that none of you need to be alone.

Thank you, the battalion of miracle workers - your small acts of kindness were the best gift I could get this spring.

ASB NEWS:

NEW 8 WEEK COURSES starting >>>

● March 31 – May 26, Mondays, 18 – 20.30h

Introduction to Contemporary Art
● April 1 – May 27, Tuesdays, 13.30 – 16h

Introduction to Contemporary Art
and 18 -20.30
Studio Drawing and Painting
● April 2 – May 29, Wednesdays, 18 – 20.30
Sketching and Small Drawings (Nude and City-Scape) >>>

BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY
ASB has turned 3 this spring and on April 12th, Saturday we will celebrate it with the Big Birthday Party

film screening: Dreams by the Sea - film about painter Emil Nolde 18-19.30 ( max. 15 people, please register)

party: 19.30 - 22.30 h (max. 40 people, please register)For more information and registration please write to: asbgeneralinfo@gmail.com

ART WEEK on a Croatian island

June 7 -14, Krapanj island, CroatiaEnjoy making art on a picturesque little island on Dalmatian coast. With Barbara Guttman (DLA in painting) and Klara Orosz (DLA in sculpting).

More information comming soon.