For fifty-one and a half weeks of the year, Watershed is one of the most laid back, peaceful places in the world.  Things seem to move in a very organic, rolling rhythm…basically, the only schedule revolves around mealtimes.  However, for the three days leading up to Salad Days, the activity level at Watershed increases exponentially.  As this event, with an annual attendance of around 300 people, is Watershed’s only major fundraiser, it is a huge part of the facility’s ability to host resident artists each year.

Preparations for Salad Days began on Wednesday, with the arrival of a large tent, which will house the annual invitational pottery sale.  That same day, we carted the majority of the plates for this year’s event, made by resident Salad Days Artist Adero Willard, up from the factory studios to the main house.  These plates, made each year by the resident Salad Days Artist, will be sold on Saturday for $25 dollars each…and will then be used as the lunch plates from which those in attendance will feast on the wonderful array of salads provided by the Watershed Kitchens and various local restaurants.

As the big day drew closer, Thursday saw an even greater increase in activity on the grounds.  Everyone pitched in to clean and tidy-up the house, studios, cabins, and all outdoor areas.  Amy Lemaire created beautiful floral arrangements for the house, using locally grown flowers, handmade pottery, and her own lampworked glass beads.  And, of course, the kitchen staff had prep work well under way!

Each evening at Watershed, residents and staff have the option of presenting a short slide shhow and brief talk on their work.  So, after the day’s work was done on Thursday, we all had a lovely dinner and sat down to slide presentations from our guest artists Richard and Martha Shaw, as well as some of this session’s residents…including myself.  Not having had the opportunity to make presentations on my work to audience, I am not quite as comfortable with this process as I would like.  However, the environment and people at Watershed are so accepting, that I was able to at least give it a go…and I feel like I have gained the experience that will help me know how to do a better job of presenting in the future.