InsaneJournal

I have thought much of how I wish to approach the New Year, and a good, forward-looking idea came to me. Upon investigation of circumstances and much discussion with others who work here, I am pleased to make this auspicious announcement:

The Art of Expression will be moving into the larger facility of Cloud Recesses.

This move will afford us more classroom, event, practice, and studio space. It will also enable us to establish an Artist In Residence program, to give a new artist each year an opportunity to focus exclusively on their art, without the pressures of maintaining a household. From a purely selfish perspective, it will also breathe new life into my family home, which was never meant to stand empty and in service to nothing.

The grand move will take place on the first day of February. Any who wish to volunteer to help carry items and arrange them in their new places will be compensated, as I am told is traditional, with pizza and beer.

For those who may be curious, our old building will still be in use. We plan to convert it to use for more high-tech art, to make a dedicated space for those whose artistic vision is more focused on digital art, photography, videography, and recording. This is as yet a dream in progress, of course. Please look forward to many fundraisers to make it a reality.

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I had thought that, in the absence of my family, I might not be in a celebratory mood despite the New Year beginning at the turn of the clocks tonight. I find, however, that I do wish to celebrate with all of you. I have found a restaurant from which I may still order some traditional foods for this evening (including some with meat for the rest of you).

Miss Emily, as you have not been here for one of these celebrations before: my people celebrate the New Year based on a lunar calendar, rather than a solar calendar like the one your people use. As such, tonight is our equivalent of New Year's Eve. It is traditionally a holiday on which one brings all the family together to eat traditional foods that promote good luck and long life in the coming year.

Thus, if we might all gather for dinner this evening, I would be most pleased. I would also accept help in hanging the red lanterns this afternoon.
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