The Ghost of America

Starworks was the ghost of a sock factory that employed 1400 people. Now it is the centre of something magical, creative, energizing and is a fine example of America at work. This weekend I am at the Lancaster Creative Arts Centre in Lancaster, PA the brain child of Kevin Lehman. It is an old rolled steel factory that went exit stage left. Kevin has turned it into the home of Strictly Functional, private studios, classes, workshops in clay and glass, a gallery and now he is planning a wood/salt kiln in the heart of the city. Kevin also teaches kids in detainment. That's a kind word for prison. I can see he would be the ideal guy. He'd look them straight in the eye and I think they'd know not to dick with him. He's not big, not intimidating but sometimes ya just know. I've always known that the most dangerous person in the room is a quiet smiling woman.

Although it is sad that many of the middle class factory jobs went the way of the dinosaur it provides a home for the arts community. Artists move in turn rust into diamonds and soon a subculture of coffee shops, books stores and interesting shops enter into the neighbourhood. Bad areas become desirable neighbourhoods.
 For the workshop Kevin has brought in Greek food, African food, wood fired pizza tonight and we're having sushi tomorrow night. All this suffering I do for the sake of my art. Create an experience and they will come.