06/02/2026
This one’s personal: Every piece of art at Clevedale has a story, and this one feels like a snippet from my memoir.
A couple of years ago, at Ballet at Bucko’s, I won an auction piece that at first glance felt like it captured something deep in my spirit. I didn’t fully know why it tugged at me the way it did, however, I knew the energy in it felt familiar. Fast forward to this year’s ballet fundraiser.
A woman walks up to me, introduces herself, and says: “I’m Isabel Forbes. You have two of my paintings.” I tried to contain myself, only mildly, and gave her the kind of hug that comes from recognizing something you didn’t realize you were meant to find. I told her how the presence of the woman in her artwork reminded me of myself—how it carried the same strength, softness, and truth. We left that conversation with one simple goal: she wanted to see it in person in its place.
And that’s exactly what happened at Clevedale’s GardenArts Festival 2026, held this past weekend.
In this video clip, Isabel shares the moment in time that inspired her - one that ultimately found its way back to me, through art, through community, and through a connection that didn’t feel random at all. Because at Clevedale, it’s not just that you can look at the art. You feel it. And sometimes, if you’re lucky, you get to meet the heart behind it.
