Who: Sage and Esme When: Recently Where: Creative Dreams What: Showing a teacher around Rating/Warning: Low/None Status: Complete
Esme had seen the woman’s post online about a creative space and it had intrigued her so she had decided to use one of her free days to check it out. She wasn’t quite sure what she was hoping to find but at the very least she wanted to offer her help as an art teacher should it be needed. Making her way to the address that was listed she parked and got out of the car, making her way to the entrance and pushing open the door.
The place was huge. And had impeccable landscaping that was beautiful and creative. Inside was a front desk and foyer decorated with statues and art on the walls. Behind the desk was a set of frosted glass doors.
Sage sat at the desk, tapping away at a keyboard. She hadn't heard the door which is why she got caught singing I dreamed a dream from Les Mis with out any music playing. She trailed off as she looked up and smiled. She rose to her feet. "Hello!" She said warmly.
Esme, who had just embarked on a distance learning architectural degree, appreciated the building design. It was a wonderful creation, with art pieces around which had obviously been chosen with care.
“Hello” Esme replied with a smile, “I must say that was a wonderful welcome. Your voice is lovely”
Sage offered the woman a smile. "Thank you. It was my career before settling here, actually. " She ran her nails through her hair. She was a little embarrassed.
"I am Sage. What can I do for you? " She asked as she walked around from behind the desk. Sage was tall and lanky, but looked kind and like someone who was used to long days.
“Oh I’m sorry, how rude of me” she said, “My name is Esme Cullen. I saw your post on the net and wanted to come and offer my help if you could use it. I’m an art teacher” she added in explanation. Esme was a contrast to the other woman, she was average height and had a more curvy figure but her whole demeanor radiated friendliness.
Sage smiled and nodded. “Well, we can always use teachers. I’m just opening the doors so I don’t have much yet. Just what me and my brother have managed. But come in, see what the place is like so far.” she slid open one of the frosted glass doors to reveal the Gallery Space (here!. “There’s also a door to the hallway. We have a gallery space, a ceramics studio, a photography studio with a darkroom, we have a vocal room with recording capability in the works, we have a drawing and painting studio, and a ton of space we haven’t renovated yet mostly because I’m not sure what I want to do with it. I was thinking a couple classrooms.” she talked and walked Esme through the place. There was a kitchen, and bathrooms, too, and storage. All the rooms had basic equipment (she had spent most of her money on renovation) but they had all the necessities. There was a nice piano in the music studio, tables in the drawing studio and wooden easels, and two nice kilns in the ceramics area. “I hope it’ll turn out okay.”
“Oh my goodness” Esme said when Sage had walked her through the rooms, she had smiled and nodded as she was being shown and looked in awe at the work that had gone into it. “It’s remarkable, truly amazing. I am positive it will turn out okay, how could it not? It’s a creative dream”
She laughed softly. “Hence it’s name. I’ve sunk most of my earnings into the place so far, so I hope it succeeds.” she smiled nervously. “Biggest project I’ve ever undertaken. Even stepping out on stage for the first time as Cosette didn’t make me THIS nervous!” she laughed softly “and I thought I was going to pass out on opening night.” she shook her head. “My brother found this warehouse that was just abandoned and helped me buy it. I’m on a ramen noodle diet for awhile, though.” she was joking, her family had money. Not that she flaunted it, but she wasn’t going to starve. But she did want to do all this one her own, with grudging help from her brother.
Esme blushed, “Oh of course” she laughed lightly as she realised what she had done, “You obviously picked the right name” Esme listened as Sage spoke, “Nerves are good for us, they help keep us focused. Apparently anyway. Anytime you get sick of noodles please let me know, I cook mostly for myself as my husband works at the hospital and my daughter comes and goes as she pleases” she offered, knowing Sage was half joking but making the offer anyway, “Really you’d be doing me a favour and keeping me company”
Sage smiled. “I hope so. I feel like I did. It’s… fitting I think.” she grinned. “True enough. I didn’t die of fright that first night, so I think they helped.” she laughed a bit. “Of course. I am not much of a cook, so noodles are pretty much my forte.” she grinned. “I would not mind the company either.” she looked around then smiled. “So. What do you think? I want to set up classes - for people to come in, learn more about various arts. I want to help emerging artists of all kinds get a foot hold.”
“Then it’s settled you must come over for dinner soon” Esme smiled, “I think you have a wonderful vision. It’s a lovely idea to bring art in it’s many forms to people and to encourage those who already have a passion for it” Anybody who heard Esme speak could tell she was passionate about it herself, she loved the idea of children, and adults alike, discovering a talent or joy in art which they had previously not had.
"I would love to. " She smiled a bit before she pushed her hair out of her eyes. "Glad someone else sees this too. I hope it will be good for everyone. " She smiled again. "I do hope you'll help."
“I would be more than happy to help, anything I can do you only need ask” Esme assured her, “And thank you for letting me be a part of it”
"Maybe teach some kids and adults?" She asked as she smiled. "I think we can do some great classes to make things better for those who want to learn but can't afford real classes."
“I’d be delighted” Esme said, there was nothing more gratifying than teaching those who wanted to learn, “I’m sure we can too. If you want to let me know what days you were thinking I can make sure that I don’t accept any supply jobs on those days” And if it took off well she could always stop entirely, Esme didn’t need to work she did it because she enjoyed it.
“Wonderful! Let’s try maybe Wednesdays for now and if interest is there, go from there? I’ll get the info posted on the website and around town, and pass it along to some of the schools in the area. I’m hoping that it’ll really work, I know a lot of kids don’t have access to the arts these days. Which is a total shame.”
“Perfect” Esme agreed, “I’ll get my husband and children to put up flyers too. It’s absolutely terrible, they focus so little on developing the creativity of children which is really where a lot of people find joy and happiness as they grow up”
"Thank you. I appreciate it! " She was excited. Her voice betrayed that. "I find creativity needs to be fostered so kids can grow up and be flexible thinkers. "
“Oh I completely agree” Esme nodded, “I encouraged all of my children to be as creative as possible. They all have their own unique creative talents, my son Edward plans the piano beautifully and my youngest Alice designs websites for the fashion industry”
“I would love to hear him play.” she said after a moment before smiling. “I can’t play a lick myself, despite years in Julliard. Obviously, I went for vocals, but I wish I had learned to play, too!” she smiled a bit.
“I’ll be sure to get him to come and play for you sometime. It’s a beautiful instrument to be able to play” Esme smiled, “I’m afraid I cannot play or sing, though I adore music”
“That would be lovely, I’d be very happy to hear him play. I love the piano, although to be fair there are many beautiful instruments.” she smiled a bit. “Thank you again, for all your support. I’m really excited now”
“Thank you, truly. It’s a wonderful idea and I look forward to being a part of it”