Nicholas's Story
Copyright© 2025 by writer 406
Chapter 41
Nicholas arrived at the McGree Arts Colony Open House to find it already crowded.
He was impressed as he looked around the compound. Rainbow and her husband had transformed the space.
White canvas pavilion tents stretched across the grounds like sails catching morning light, their peaked tops creating dramatic shadows. She had positioned them perfectly—the largest tent sheltered the area that he assumed the various presentations would be made. He could see folding chairs arranged in gentle arcs, creating intimate conversation spaces. Hay bales with mason jars filled with wildflowers on them divided the different seating areas.
Hand-painted wooden signs, lettered in flowing script, invited guests to explore the various craft booths.
He wandered into the woodworker’s shed. They had arranged a gallery of their work, showing delicate jewelry boxes with intricate marquetry inlays to rolling pins and cutting boards to dining tables.
One corner held a selection of Sam Malooff style rocking chairs made from cherry and walnut.
Another corner had a master turning live-edge bowls on a massive Powermatic lathe.
Young apprentices worked at smaller stations, their careful attention to detail evident in the growing collection of spoons, cutting boards, and small sculptures that filled woven baskets. The gentle tap-tap-tap of mallets and the whisper of sandpaper created a rhythmic soundtrack that seemed to synchronize with the rustling leaves overhead.
Next stop was the pottery tent, which occupied a sunny patch near the main building, where wheel-thrown vessels caught the light like earthen jewels. Master potter, a Mexican woman Nicholas had yet to meet. She had arranged her pieces on rustic wooden shelves and quilt-covered tables, creating layers of texture and warmth.
Glazed bowls in ocean blues and forest greens reflected the surrounding landscape, while earthy terracotta planters promised to cradle future gardens.
Nicholas grew more impressed the more he wandered through the display areas. There was museum-quality work here for sale at mundane prices. Beautiful pieces with function in mind as well as form. Practical artistry like he’d seen when he was on his tour of the English countryside searching out lost crafts.
The rhythmic ring of hammer on anvil announced Rainbow’s domain before it came into view. Set slightly apart for safety, their booth recreated the essence of a working smithy. Master blacksmith Carlos had transported his portable forge, its glowing coals casting dancing shadows as he demonstrated traditional techniques on horseshoe projects and decorative ironwork.
Hand-forged pieces displayed her versatility—delicate copper jewelry hung alongside robust iron garden gates, while brass candlesticks caught and reflected the forge’s warm glow.
A quenching station sent dramatic clouds of steam into the air as hot metal met water and oil. The tempering process created theatrical moments that drew crowds of fascinated onlookers.
Rainbow spotted him and came out to greet him with a broad smile.
“Good morning, Nicholas. Your water garden inspired me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to add to its beauty.”
Both she and her husband had shown up at the property the day after he’d met them. Looking around in wonder at the work he’d done so far on his water garden.
They walked along the path to the other displays. Rainbow chattered away about the history of their little colony. It was obviously a labor of love for her.
“This is Elodie and her two granddaughters, Megan and Sally’s domain. They are our fabric crafters.” She waved to an elderly woman with bone-white hair. She was sitting beside several baskets overflowing with skeins of hand-dyed wool in every shade imaginable. Her spinning wheel turned steadily as she demonstrated the ancient art of transforming fleece into thread, the rhythmic whir adding to the booth’s meditative atmosphere.
“They set up a puppet show every year for the kids.”
A small crowd of children gathered cross-legged on a patchwork quilt watching two teenage girls manipulate a colorful collection of hand-knitted and sewn puppets.
The eldest was introducing the puppets to the kids.
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