Seated at white laminate work tables in an all white, modern (for the time) NDSU classroom alongside architecture, interior design and art students, I flirted with the idea of switching majors from retail merchandising to interior design.
Then it happened: I failed miserably at my color wheel. That was it. Interior Design was over for me and I went back to a curriculum of marketing, business law and textile classes for the rest of my college years. I gave myself one shot to try something, and when I wasn't a "natural", I did what I normally do and went back to something safe. Familiar.
What I didn't realize at the time was that my colleagues who, (sorry for the pun) passed with flying colors, probably had given it a shot more than once. Or twice. Maybe they'd been practicing since 4th grade.
Everything worked out: clearly I was destined to be a merchant and I've been able to draw on my brief "design" education to build out three retail shops and 1.25 studios.
Time to try again. This time for fun.
In the spirit of "back to school", maybe we can all take this change in seasons to give something a try. That's kind of what Mercer is all about...trying something new, allowing yourself a few moments/days/weeks or however long it takes to try develop a new skill or explore something of interest.
That's why there is a plywood table full of art supplies and books for learning positioned directly across from where I spend most of my days - it's a reminder to me and so many of you who have walked in the shop to try.
So many of you have shared your stories with me as you've gazed the art table: some just wanting easy instruction without the pressure of being judged by others, some wanting to "get back to" something they "used to be good at", and others transitioning from a lifelong career into retirement and finally being able to spend time doing something they've always wanted to try.
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Friday Night, 1984