Thursday morning I was up early to drive to Old Saybrook, CT to take the train into New York City for the day. My purpose was to attend the new members induction ceremony of the National Association of Women Artists, Inc. (1889-2015). The purpose of N.A.W.A. is to foster public awareness of, and interest in, visual art created by women in the United States. While encouraging contemporary and emerging artists, the Association honors and continues the long and important contribution of women to the history of American culture and art. The morning event took place at the Rubin Museum of Art. The large auditorium was packed and I watched and listened to the new inductees accept their certificates while two of their pieces of art were shown “Larger than Life” on a huge (I’m guessing 20 feet) square screen. See below for a section of that screen – you get the idea! Their stories were touching, inspiring, and beautiful, as was their art. 
When my pieces were shown I was so struck by the impact of making something “larger than life”. This size did matter.
National Association of Women Artists Gallery2015
Rita Hannafin (left) was able to join me at the NAWA gallery. Over the past three years I have been the Connecticut Co Rep for Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) and have seen many of my colleagues meet the challenge of entering art shows that we may not have ever thought about entering several years ago. Besides being stitched our works of art are painted, dyed, manipulated, and loved from the beginning process until the completion. So, as I ask myself each year at this time regarding my Thanksgiving Turkey – “Fresh, Frozen, One, or Two – will the Turkey be BIG enough?” If I have any doubts this year – I can always project it’s image on a larger than life screen and know that it will at least satisfy everyone’s visual senses. Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. Peace be with you!
Catherine Whall Smith 