Station Gallery hosts year-end event celebrating art, music and poetry

Sharon Sinclair reading “Sunrise Reflections” at the St. Marys Station Gallery Soirée on Dec. 19.

By Alex Hunt

St. Marys Station Gallery held a Gallery Soirée on Dec. 19 to close out the year and celebrate all things art, music and poetry.

The evening featured an exhibit that included artwork by Paul Nicholson, music by classical guitarist Rob MacDonald and poetry readings by the St. Marys Poetry Circle.

“The soirée went really well,” said Duncan MacDonald. “Despite the less-than-ideal weather, it gave people a chance to come together and enjoy a warm, creative evening to close out the year.”

During the evening, Poetry Circle member Sharon Sinclair read her poem, “Sunrise Reflections.” Sinclair said the poem was inspired by her practice of watching the sunrise every morning during the winter of 2012. She describes her mornings as a spiritual experience, something she will remember for the rest of her life.

“I spent a few winters as a snowbird in Fairhope, Ala., where I had the privilege of standing on the pier each morning, overlooking Mobile Bay,” said Sinclair. “I would watch the sunrise every day and it always felt like a deeply spiritual experience.

“No two mornings were ever the same, and over time, I began to see those changing skies as a metaphor for our emotions, constantly shifting, never stagnant. Nature inspires me deeply, and the sunrise has come to symbolize new beginnings and the promise of a fresh start each day.”

Alizon Sharun, who took over leadership of the St. Marys Poetry Circle in 2019, said anyone interested in joining the group can be a member and welcomes individuals of all experience levels.

“It’s a supportive group for people who love poetry and love to write it. We explore different forms, and we do all kinds of things around the community,” said Sharun.

 During the soirée, Poetry Circle member Mary Maika presented her poem, “Like Dust.”  Maika said as a poet, she aims to provide readers with something that invites them to create their own meaning.

“I don’t want people to hear my poem and think, that’s exactly how it is. Life, after all, is like dust, always shifting, always changing, “said Maika. “This is the longest poem I’ve ever written, and I feel like I’ve lived enough life now to say that, in most poetry, some part of it always circles back to who we are.”

MacDonald said the evening was a great opportunity for new people to visit the gallery and bring everyone together for a year-end celebration.