One evening the Jubinale members climbed aboard a large bus to be taken to a palatial conference centre for a celebration dinner, dance and entertainment. It was great fun, with Zbigniew pretending to be a waiter, and toasting a young couple at our table when we found out that the wife was pregnant. Marcin Boguslaw was also at the table and I enjoyed speaking with him again.
Vodka was again the choice of drink, but fortunately no one tried to beat my record with me. However I don’t need alcohol to fire me up or to get me dancing, though I was a bit concerned when the dancing started and it was all polkas, similar dances as well as the tango. Zbigniew firmly led me in a tango, whilst I pretended that I knew what I was doing and tried desperately to get rid of the third foot that suddenly appeared. Monika cheered me on!
Once the Abba songs started, twist or jive or nightclub slow music I was in my element and kept going until the bus arrived to take us back. The Polish people certainly do know how to let their hair down and I did enjoy this night of celebration.
My last day in Poland and my last night in the country were very emotionally charged. There were many tears, as I thought of all the experiences I had had, my Polish surprises along the way (this has led to a series of Polish Surprise Rings that I am delighted with in my drawings and in my mind…. But more on that later) the realization of all the wonderful opportunities I had been given and the help I had received bought on more tears. I was indebted to Zbigniew Kraska for all the organizing he had on my behalf, for promoting me and encouraging other schools or lectures to book the lectures or the demonstrations so that I could travel the country and absorb as much as I could. The help given by him and Monika the curator of the Legnica Silver Gallery, will not be forgotten.
I was also very aware at the wonderful opportunity given to me as a recipient of a Creative Development Fellowship that had been financed by the Western Australian Government through the Department of Culture and the Arts.
Yes there were many tears that night.
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