Reconnecting

Art Exhibition by Sara Spohnheimer was on display at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames from October 28th until December 30th 2023.

UUFA Gallery in the Round
1015 Hyland Avenue, Ames, IA

Gallery Hours
Monday-Tuesday 9:00-12:00, Wednesday-Thursday 1:00-4:00 and by appointment (uufa@uufames.org or call 515-292-5960)

Reception November 18, 4:00-6:00p.m.

Many Thanks
Thank you for the opportunity to exhibit at the UUFA.
Special thanks to my family, Isaac Prior, Amy Dreyer, Derek Capito, Wendy Bickelhaupt, Nicholas Bickelhaupt, Gayle Bothe, Mark Boeck, Keith VanDePol, Brian and Tanya Anderson, Hilde Brun, and Wolf-Dieter Storl.

The wooden picture frame mouldings on the artwork are available at
The Frame Shop, 210 Main Street in Ames.

Artist's Statement
We live in a time when there is much to heal. According to Asia Suler, author of Mirrors in the Earth, we are each responsible for our own healing and healing ourselves is the best gift we can give.

I’ve come to realize that all along I have been searching and working to heal myself. Growing up feeling rootless, a child of immigrants in a disconnected industrialized culture, through following my heart and deepest sense of inner knowing I am finding my way back to being rooted, participating in the natural world, and relating as a more whole person.

In the years since earning a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Iowa State University I have traveled, discovered, and returned with a new perspective and appreciation for Iowa and my own Germanic culture. I am practicing deeper integration with each. My art displays my journey, from the drive to create, to falling in love with Venice, to developing a renewed appreciation for my Iowa surroundings, to following the advice of native elders to reconnect with the living world through the customs of my own people rather than borrowing from others.

I know I am not alone in my experience. All around I see others working on healing themselves too. I wish us all good journey and safe travels home.

- Exhibition References -
Selected Bibliography:
Arvay, Clemens. The Biophilia Effect. 2018. Boulder, Sounds True.
Eisler, Riane. The Chalice and the Blade. 1987. San Francisco, Harper & Row.
Rätsch, Christian. Abgründige Weihnachten. 2014. München, Riemann Verlag.
Rätsch, Christian and Müller-Ebeling, Claudia. Pagan Christmas. 2006. Rochester, Inner Traditions.
Storl, Wolf-Dieter. Naturrituale. 2004. Baden und München, AT Verlag.
Storl, Wolf-Dieter. The Untold History of Healing. 2017. Berkeley, North Atlantic Books.
Suler, Asia. Mirrors in the Earth. 2022. Berkeley, North Atlantic Books.

Additional resources:
Lyla June, Reclaiming our Indigenous European roots - Moon Magazine: http://moonmagazine.org/lyla-june-reclaiming-our-indigenous-european-roo...
Hilde Brun, Lorscher Bienensegen (Bee Blessing of Lorsch): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alq2amo9X7w
Eivør Pálsdóttir, Trøllabundin (Live in Ekaterinburg): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rty_vsrXek&t=10s
Jonna Jinton, Kulning (Ancient herding call, Sweden): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fglBL7eQIA
Heilung, Lifa (recorded live at Castlefest, Lisse, Netherlands): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1BsKIP4uYM particularly Krigsgaldr

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Lorscher Bienensegen

Idisi iligi, imbi ist hucze!
Nu fluic du, uihu minaz,
hera fridu in Frijas munt
heim zi comonne gisunt.

Sizi, sizi bina: inbo(t) ZiuZisa
Hurolob habe du: Ziuholce fluic du,
noh du mir nindrinnes, noh du mir nintuuinnest.
Sizi uilu stillo, vuirki Uuihithas uuillon.

Idisi iligi, imbi ist hucze!
Nu fluic du, uihu minaz, hera
fridu in Frijas munt
heim zi comonne gisunt.

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Bee Blessing of Lorsch

Idisi, make haste, the bees are about!
Fly, my dear creature,
out in peace from the mouth of Freya
to return home sound.

Stay, stay, bee bidden by ZiuZisa
It is allowed you to fly in the name of ZiuHolces
but flee me not, leave me not,
stay a while yet - work the blessing's will.

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Heim zi comonne gisunt - heimzukehren gesund - to return home sound