January 22, 2014

Director's Message


Ever heard  the phrase "big shoes to fill"? I'm looking at some pretty marvelous "shoes" that have been modeled for me the last nine years as Lori Olmstead has taken the lead as director of VernalUTAH'S Storytelling Festival.  We are embarking on a new adventure, and it only seems right that we should bring along a new pair of shoes. There may be a few sore spots as we adjust, but new shoes are fun!  Where will the shoes take us? Lori established many programs, ideas and curriculum that we hope to continue such as storytellers in our schools, community performances that bring families together, and the symposium where students and teachers refine the art.
Perhaps the biggest thing Lori established is the enthusiasm for storytelling.  The art is as old as the human experience, and we love meeting the diversity and new stories that come to our area with each storyteller.  The true magic happens as we feel their stories start the seed of stories deep within our students, our community, ourselves. 
Yes, these shoes are different. Instead of shoes that skip in the delight of September's autumn leaves, our shoes will crunch in the still of February. But is there a better time to gather our family and friends into a cozy circle of storytelling? I know my heart yearns for summer's beauty, but nothing is more beautiful than the human story. I know my soul longs for some inspiration in the dark of a long winter, and humans have been using the art of storytelling for centuries to connect.
Let's try out these shoes and see where they will take all of us as we begin this year's journey to discover what a decade of storytelling at VernalUTAH's Storytelling Festival has in store for our community!
Aaryn Birchell

No comments: