This year’s Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival will hold a special meaning for three artists; it will serve as a bittersweet reunion between three artists, at first connected by their two distinct art forms, who became acquaintances, then friends – connected by art, music and the untimely death of a best friend.
The story begins in the second week of September in 2004, when Suzanne Connor, a fourth generation New Hampshire fiber artist specializing in contemporary hand quilting, arrived for her first Colorscape Arts Festival. Though distracted at the time by some sad events at home, Suzanne recalls her first visit to Colorscape with pleasant memories.
“I noticed the warm reception this community gives to artists, both visual and performing,” she says. “I met wonderful people, sold a few pieces, ate good food, and listened to the seemingly unending array of terrific folk musicians.”
Among the musicians present that year were the husband and wife team of Pete and Maura Kennedy. The story of Pete and Maura Kennedy’s personal and professional relationship is somewhere between fate and fairytale. They had a chance meeting in 1992 that immediately sparked a song writing collaboration, a first date at the grave of Buddy Holly, an enduring romance, and a creative partnership that radiates warmth, positive energy, and captivating music.
Suzanne was so enthralled by the Kennedy’s music and performance that she bought one of their CDs for her studio before returning home to New Hampshire.
Back home, Suzanne’s best friend, Joanne, had been diagnosed with cancer ten days earlier. Suzanne was anxious to get home to see her friend. She was able to spend time with her friend, but unfortunately Joanne died just two short months later.
“Though dazed and saddened,” Suzanne recalls, “all of us who loved her were relieved that the pain was finally over.”
Suzanne began work on some new pieces that following January. She had always been heavily influenced by the natural world, particularly themes of water and sky. Simple elegance, clean lines and sophisticated color are hallmarks of her collections.
Unfortunately, this time Suzanne was unable to find inspiration from any of her usual sources. Creating art quilts had always been very personal to her, but she couldn’t seem to channel the energy or maintain the focus she needed to create one.
Then on one particularly frustrating day in March, she was again in her studio trying to create an original piece, when she came upon an unopened CD. It was “Stand” by the Kennedys. Remembering that she had enjoyed their music when she first heard them at Colorscape, Suzanne immediately put the disc into her player.
“What happened next was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received,” she says. “In listening carefully to the music, I started to cry. And laugh. And remember Joanne. And know that while I miss her terribly, my first new piece had to celebrate her final passage – the leap from this life to the next.”
The Kennedys blend naturalistic, transcendental and mythological teachings into their own musical style. Their goal is to live in the moment, appreciating every second of sensation, which imbues their music with a constant sense of wonder and freshness.
Suzanne played “Stand” over and over and over again while working on the new piece. The completed quilt, “The Spirit Released,” was finished in May.
Says Suzanne, “It is truly a celebratory piece, commemorating a long, wonderful friendship that even death cannot end.”
In September of last year, Suzanne returned to Colorscape and through the efforts of then Colorscape Executive Director Peggy Finnegan, was able to meet Pete and Maura Kennedy.
“When Suzanne shared how she was inspired by the music of The Kennendys to complete the wall hanging ‘The Spirit Released’ in her friend’s memory, I was delighted to be able to set up a meeting,” says Peggy. “Maura and Pete are not only fine musicians, but are very kind and caring people.”
Suzanne shared with them the story and showed them the quilt.
“(I thanked) them for releasing ‘my’ spirit,” Suzanne says. “They were wonderful, unhurried and gracious. Both Maura and I had tears in our eyes by the time the story was done.”
To celebrate the healing effect the Kennedy’s music had on her, Suzanne created a sister wall hanging appropriately titled, “The Folk Singers – A Celebration of the Spirit.” The quilt is bright, flowing, with swirling colors in every hue.
“That’s what it feels like when your muse returns,” says Suzanne.
Both quilts were chosen for the exhibit “Celebrate” at Gallery 205 in Concord, NH, and on display from March through June of this year. The public reception was March 30th, and to Suzanne’s surprise, the Kennedys attended.
Suzanne and Pete and Maura Kennedy will meet again at this year’s Colorscape – their friendship molded by mutual appreciation for the other’s art form, an harmonious connection like a beautifully crafted melody, or a lovingly stitched quilt with a tapestry of vibrant colors. Muse and inspiration may at times be fleeting for the artist or musician. But the healing power of art and music are there for us all, always.