Thank God ON Friday - after this week?

As promised .. I am keeping you in the loop of the journey of an emerging sculptor - this one is a doosey.

Next week was to be the opening of my examination/graduation show, displaying the culmination 5 years of often exciting and difficult work. Six months ago it was confirmed that I could use the kilns in Sydney Park, a beautiful venue and so appropriate for my work.

Less than 48 hours ago I received a phone call basically stating a third party had got involved and cited the possibility of structural defects, putting a closure order on the whole site pending full structural analysis.

No venue, no show, no exam, no proclamation of the delicacy and power inherent in fire .... all the advertising that had been done is now a complete waste, all the infrastructure that had been created for the kilns is now a complete waste.

Needless to say I am gutted. Another example of the spiritual warfare that we daily wage. BUT I AM NOT GOING TO MEEKLY ROLL OVER.

Since then I have alternated between being on my knees in prayer; racking up a monster phone bill calling anyone/everyone who may have a site contact (more would be welcome!); and curled up in a ball rocking back & forward eating chocolate.

Some headway has been made, with a stopgap option in place, but this would never do my work justice. Today I will be inspecting several sites for their suitability. I have to say my contact at Sydney Council has been nothing but supportive, and he has done beyond a normal public servant's duty in trying to make this right.

Ideally I would like to have the new venue sorted out by the end of this week, so I can redesign/remake the show ... and maybe get some partial new advertising out there.

Any thoughts/prayers/ideas would be greatly appreciated - feel free to contact me

Onwards with the adventure today!

[72 hours later]

What a week I've just had - it would rate up there as one of the most intense in a long time.

This time last week everything was pretty well in place: THE major show of my art career (Refinement in 3 Parts - my graduation/examination show) was humming along - the work was done; the venue under control; specialized infrastructure made ... all that had to be done was final bits of advertising, bump in & let it all happen.

Yeah, right.

Monday afternoon, there comes a phone call from my council contact. Some 3rd party had come along and declared the structure unsafe - meaning: complete public usage ban until further notice.

O crap

Rest of this week has been spent alternating between on my knees praying; racking up a monstrous phone bill & inspecting possibilities; and curled up in a ball on the lounge rocking back & forward (No, there is now no chocolate left in the house).
Slowly, the haze is clearing and there is one venue 90% sure + one other absolute beauty I am waiting to hear back from.

So what have I got to be thankful for in a horrible situation like this? That's easy: my friends. The support that I have had this week has been wonderful. The offers of help, be it physical, moral or spiritual, has kept me going. Honestly, without the phone calls, visits and supportive words I would have struggled much more than I did.

I cannot thank them enough, and praise God for putting these people in my life. This battle will be won and I will dance for joy!

This of course, is not over yet - but this section is almost done and dusted ... now onto the next phase!