Past Projects

Our reporter, Joel McCarty, describes Sunday's doings: It was so hot today that even the native Washingtonians were staggering around admonishing us all to lather up with sunblock and drink water until it ran from our ears.

Each day this week has brought successive increases in crowd size, temperature, humidity and excitement. The technical support and curatorial people have been unfailingly cheerful, competent and complementary. The food has been marvelous and varied and reinforces my conviction that you don’t have to know what it is, or even be able to pronounce it, in order to have a great meal here. What a treat it is to be here. Thanks to John Miller of Dreaming Creek who covered for me some of today. I was able to get around a bit and admire the work represented in my immediate neighborhood. Perhaps next week I’ll get a little further afield to see what the other countries are up to.

The folks from Benson Woodworking have been working like dogs in this weather to finish the horse barn. They have been generous with all manner of help to the Guild. The metal roof is on, and I am sure they are happy to be in the shade. Many will return to Alstead tonight, and the horses will arrive on Monday to inhabit their new barn. The Festival is closed Monday and Tuesday, so the Smithsonian is hosting a party for us Sunday evening with somewhat more formal music presentations, a stage and a dance floor. The idea is to allow us to hear, sing and dance to the music from the other pavilions that we have missed by remaining at our posts.

We have had plenty of music each night back at the hotel (where all the participants are staying and dining together) but it has been from pick-up bands and choirs; I think we are creating a new kind of world music, a sort of Afro-Celtic-Klezmer-Rumanian-Swing situation.

Here follow some pictures of our adventures on Sunday.

Guild members and Benson Woodworking people work to complete the roof on the barn.


The Department of Agriculture, where bad forest management plans come from. The proximity of this building initiated a lively debate, on stage for the public, with bridge builder Arnold Graton, sawmiller Barry Kelley, and me.


Completed Benson horse barn, already providing coveted shade.