Samuel Joshua Beckett, [Loïe Fuller Dancing], ca. 1900. (℅ Artsy)
Loie Fuller was an American dancer who achieved international distinction for her innovations in theatrical lighting, as well as for her invention of the “Serpentine Dance,” a striking variation on the popular “skirt dances” of the day. (source)
The Harvest celebration continues, immersing our senses in the fulfillment of Fall. The air suspends every moment for us to savor, from a cozy fireplace to a crisp morning frost. Layers of soft warmth trickle into our everyday attire as they do with the falling leaves whose crunch is matched in satisfaction by the beloved crops we have tended since last Winter. Now is the time to allow ourselves to savor those moments that hang in the air as nature begins to invite quiet reflection. Our harvest fills our tables, ripe with the nourishment we have invested since before seeds were planted and ready to nourish our beloved communities in return. May our investments return tenfold, pouring love and strength into our bodies and souls as we have surrendered our guidance to nature and its enduring circle of life. And may we, as creative women, always hold the tranquility in our hearts to stop and smell the flowers… or step on those crunchy leaves!
As women, we spend our lives navigating what’s implied. Before we even have the words to identify unspoken double standards, we learn to adhere to them.
Many of us got the impression that it’s a rite of passage. Our mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers had similar experiences, always reaching to meet the expectations that we would grow up to fill the role that’s meant for us.
Then, as we get older, we realize how impossible that is. Most of us have experienced burnout at that point, sick and sore from shoving ourselves into the mold that has been looming over us ever since we can remember.
It affects every aspect of our lives, even down to the simplest things: what we wear, how we carry ourselves, and especially our conversations and how we relate to the world.
In today’s society, it’s often implied that conversations should come easily. There is truth to the implication as we are social creatures, from building our communities to networking as professionals. Connecting with others is just an everyday aspect of our lives, yet it can still be a struggle as we find who we truly are outside of unspoken expectations.
How many of us actually struggle with conversations and have never had the tools to grow out of that? How many of us relate to the challenge of finding the right words, of getting out of our own heads and truly listening, regardless of the circumstances of the conversation? At the Maestra Masterclass last month, radio host and speaker Georgene Rice reminded us of what really matters: at the core of every conversation is our ability to remain authentic.
The Alleyway Activation Project was a collaboration with Healthy Klamath to celebrate the women who helped shape the Klamath community into what it is today. It was an honor for Virtuosa Society to contribute historical research to this important project. Our mission is to cultivate and nurture creativity and virtuosity in women, and the 8 women featured in these beautiful murals were chosen for their impact on the wellbeing and growth of the Klamath Basin over the past 160 years.
Katie’s words summed up the project and ceremony beautifully:
“Our artists – as the next generation of talented, creative women in our community – help us all to pay homage to these 8 remarkable women through their beautiful artistic interpretations. Now generations to come will know that the foundation of our community was paved by courageous, industrious, compassionate, fearless and innovative women.”
Those of you who have been following us have received weekly Society Spotlight emails since the Spring, highlighting women who inspire us, their strengths, achievements, and their unique stories.
Our weekly content has now shifted to our Friday blog posts for the remainder of the Fall and Winter seasons. Don’t worry, you will still get weekly inspiration from us! If there are any topics or people you would like for us to cover, you can click here to contact us. We would love to connect with you and hear about the fabulous female inspiration in your life.
In case you missed them, click below to read more on the blog so you can be all caught up before next week’s post! We recently covered the history of Women’s Suffrage in the U.S. in light of the recent presidential election, and surviving a zombie invasion of a small mountain town in the Ozarks.
(It may seem as though there is precious little difference between the two… but I assure you, the undead gladly share their brains with everyone who comes to the table.)
The Between the Bio podcast has been going strong, and if you’re looking for a little extra creative inspiration for the holidays, catch up on our October episodes before more are released!
Georgene Rice’s episode discusses family, the pillars of meaningful conversation, mentorship, what she would have told her younger self, and much more. This woman was our brilliant Maestra Masterclass leader last month, guiding us through the Art of Conversation and connecting with our authentic selves.
Vibrant and innovative visual artist Heidi Schwartz talks about staying open to pivots, the reaction she gets when she paints live, the book she reads over and over (and carries with her everywhere), and much much more. Her energy is absolutely contagious and unapologetically authentic!
Emily Ulibarri, multi-hyphenate actress, writer, dancer, and theater owner, chats with Katie in the latest episode about what ignited her creative spark, the dedication it takes to tackle the infamous “triple threat” (dancing, acting, singing) in performing arts, the intricacies and intimacy of running a business with your dance/life partner, how pura vida lifestyle is integrated within family and business, the art of creating a show, motherhood + making art, and so much more!
As the holidays approach, we will continue to send weekly inspiration and stories of women just like you straight to your inbox. We thank you for continuing this seasonal lifestyle with us, and even if you don’t, thanks for reading! We wish you all the warmth and comfort the Fall season has to offer.
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