Toward the end of our residency we collaborated with Osteria da Filippo hosting movie nights! Osteria da Filippo is a local Italian osteria owned by Filippo who married a local woman and who shares his native Italian culture through food in Old Rauma. Suzanne and Glenn hosted 4 Wednesdays of art biographies at the Osteria. Filippo was excited to have some entertainment at the Osteria and was gracious about making a poster and spreading the word.

This month the fifth and sixth grade textile students from the Freinetschool of Rauma came to the Workshop to participate in the collaborative knitting project. The students quickly learned the steps and grew confident as they worked. Such a welcomed addition to this project!

A visit from the Teachers’ College textile students was a meaningful afternoon of sharing this alternative technique with other textile enthusiasts. The temptation to knit was too great for some!

Installation of the two knitted collaborative pieces was aided by the skillful art installers from the Rauma Art Museum. Both locations which received the collaborative works are under the umbrella of the Rauman Seudun Katulähetys ry. It was a joyful time to see the work of so many hands resulting in some distinctive artworks.

Goodbye after such a length of time working in a community is always heartfelt. With goodbyes and some last cups of coffee, Suzanne and Glenn bid a fond farewell to the place they called home for the last few months. What a special time to be in such a strong and supportive community toward the arts.

Heartfelt thanks to the City of Rauma, RaumArs Artist in Residency Programme, Rauman Seudun Katulähetys ry. Extra special thanks to Hannele Kolsio, Manager of RaumArs Artist in Residency Programme and last but certainly not least for the fabulous creative collaboration with local Rauma artist and lace maker Tarmo Thorström.

This residency would not have been possible without the generous support given to Glenn Messersmith, Suzanne Morlock and Babs Case by the American-Scandinavian Foundation, Dancers’ Workshop, the Finlandia Foundation National, the Finlandia Foundation Seattle Chapter and RaumArs Artist in Residency Programme.