Congratulations to the 2011 Winners of the Faces of the Arts in Broward Challenge!

Jill on stage at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

Some of you were able to be at the Symphony of the Americas performance on July 20 at the Broward Center for the Performing Art. The concert was wonderful and the presentation to the winners was made by Deborah Kerr, Broward Cultural Council and Roberta Young, Cultural Foundation of Broward Education Committee.

The Broward Cultural Division will be profiling each of the winners in the Cultural Quarterly magazine.

Faces of the Arts in Broward Challenge Winning Entries

The following is a link to the Cultural Foundation of Broward’s website where all of the winning entries have been uploaded:

http://www.culturalfoundationofbroward.org/faces.php

Jill Slaughter, Pembroke Pines

Essay

August will mark the fourteenth anniversary of my divorce. Officially marking the same length of time my former spouse and I were married.

The marriage provided a sanctuary of material comforts. When it ended so to did the luxuries I had grown accustomed to.

Jill’s living room

Downsizing would not begin to accurately reflect my change in circumstance. No more alphabetically stocked panty, no color coded linen closet, no household help, no house, and certainly no place to paint anymore.

Jill’s studio

One year ago after applying, I was awarded a space at Studio 18. Then a newly opened, newly renovated studio and gallery space for emerging and mid-career artists in Pembroke Pines. While my divorce caused me to let go of many cherished possessions what my ex-husband could not take was my talent.

Hooping in living room

And while I continue to live in a tiny apartment my vision has expanded because of my cherished studio which affords me the space to create work as a painter and belong to a community of like-minded colleagues.

I have recently given up my studio to focus on writing.