First it was Texas with Hurricane Harvey. Then just a couple weeks later, the entire state of Florida was engulfed with vicious Hurricane Irma. Both hurricanes left devastation in their wake with total destruction of property, flooding, and even claiming lives.
It’s been a rough few weeks for the south of the country, but the spirit of the people affected is strong, even if many areas are still without electricity while the outside temperatures continue to climb. For those affected, hurricanes can be traumatic even if no loss of lives or property has taken place. It hammers away at the spirit and brings about more stress. Plus for many, it keeps them out of work with no way to make up the losses.
For those that weren’t in the path of either hurricane though, it gives the opportunity to lend a helping hand. One great way to make that happen is to use your talent as a glass artist to raise money for disaster relief. Famously in Austin in 2015, the Armadillo Art Glass Initiative held a Main Event with live glass blowing demonstrations as well as other arts, music and food to raise money for Meals On Wheels. It worked too. They raised over $40,000.
You can create an event in your city to raise money for the victims of these two mega-hurricanes, or you can sell the glass art you’ve created with your own hands and donate the money you make to a charity like the Red Cross that will help the victims of these natural disasters. It’s a creative way to get involved and every little bit counts.
From the deepest and darkest places, some of the most beautiful light shines through. Hurricanes are a part of nature and they are an intense force. There’s something beautiful in the way the clouds swirl, how the trees sway and how we’re reminded to be humble in the thick of it. But even more stunning is the heart you see from every affected person, reaching out to each other to stay strong and get through the disaster. Perhaps that is the truest beauty in the aftermath of the storm.
Whatever inspires you, let your inspirational glass art help toward disaster relief to make the world an even more beautiful place.
