The Common Wealth of Mothers [Read and Hear]

Motherhood is the perfect Common Wealth of Kentucky theme because it is, without question, one thing we know that connects us—a mother. The best part of our journey through this project has been sitting with everyone for hours and hearing their stories while artist Kelly Brewer paints their portraits. To the person, as we get to them, we find ourselves in there somewhere; it is the "same here" that we all yearn to feel. We have interviewed and painted 70 people from across Kentucky. In every story, there is a mother at the helm, and at some point, she reveals herself.

Kelly's mother, Jo, was the inspiration for this project. She believed in the power of humanity and the connections we all have as we coexist on this beautiful planet. She was an example of service to others, and in her posthumous challenge through the journal she kept, she wrote, "What are you doing with your privilege?" The question was for herself, but it spoke directly into Kelly's heart and set the wheels in motion. One of Kelly's gifts is working as an artist. As she does so beautifully in this project, connecting people through art is also about her connection to her mom. In every person she paints, something reminds her of Jo, and the interconnectedness of the journey is a spiritual reward. 

I have countless Jan expressions in my mind and heart to remind me of who I am and how to live my life best: "Lighten up, Lucy," "Don't get too far in front of yourself," and "There are lots of fish in the sea," to name a few. But most of all, my mother modeled curiosity and made me believe I could do anything I set my mind to. She said, "Go for it," almost every time I asked her opinion. That confidence to figure things out as I go has allowed me to take on projects like this Common Wealth of Kentucky, where I have learned and connected more in one year than I ever imagined. So, thanks, Mom!

"To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow." —Maya Angelou

 We learned about mothers from all 70 participants but have boiled a few down so you can hear them on the podcast and read as you go.

Mothers teach. 

Betty Spain, owner of Bella Rose Boutique in Lexington, grew up with 11 siblings in Campton, Kentucky. Her mother raised them in a tiny house with an outdoor bathroom and a husband who liked moonshine. She taught Betty how to work and survive while seeing beauty in the simplest of things: mustard greens and radishes, vintage aprons and broaches, old china, and refurbished chairs, and putting all of that together in the most creative ways to bring cheer to herself and others.

Mothers share. 

Shelby Bale's mother was a Poet Laureate of Kentucky, and he was her trusted reader. He traveled with her across the state reading her poems aloud, and often he read her poems editorially. He was good at that sort of thing after 31 years running the editorial department of the National Archives. Shelby's mother introduced him to words, encouraged his music, and opened the door to a life in the humanities where he belonged, not medicine, where most of his five siblings ended up. When he retired, he returned to Kentucky. He had that love in common with his mother, too. 

Mothers worry. 

The first Bikram yoga class instructor Kate Harper took was alongside her mother after she returned to Boulder from boarding school. She needed to find structure, and she found it that day. The militant expression, challenge, sweat, and complete exhaustion cleared her mind of the anxiety that complicated her life and gave her peace. In the resting pose, she found energy for change. But nothing compares to the power of a mother's worry, and years later, right when Kate needed another expression of love and push, her mom called.

Mothers admonish (to inspire). 

Jim Gray thought he could do better than Jackson Pollock, and his mother explained why he would not. But, in so doing, she introduced him to a lifelong love of fine art and design, of which he is now more educated and undoubtedly humbled. He is the former President of Gray Construction, two-term Mayor of Lexington, the Kentucky Transportation Secretary, and no telling what he will do next to continue making his mark.

Mothers promote. 

Marcos Valdes is the proprietor of Papi's and Papi's Rapido Mexican restaurants in Lexington. He came to Kentucky at 32 years old from Cordoba, Mexico, and worked his way up and into his businesses. His ability to connect with others in a meaningful way directly results from his mother's confidence in him and her insistence that her children always look and feel well-kempt.

Mothers arrange.  

Jon Carloftis, of award-winning Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens, was raised in a matriarchal family in Rockcastle County. His grandmother was an entrepreneur who made sure her son would marry a nice woman. He did, and six grandchildren later, there was Jon, the youngest and wildest of them all. His mother taught Jon how to build a story, whether oral, written, or in a garden or the corner of a room. His grandmother showed him how to take charge of his business and life. 

Mothers nudge. 

Brian McCarty's mother implemented the "love is a verb" schematic when she cleared out his baseball card collection that had taken over her house. She said she thought it was time he figured out if any of it was worth anything. He did, and then he never stopped building collections. As a partner in Bluegrass Hospitality Group, which owns a group of 22 restaurants, including Malone's and Drake's, with over 2800 employees, his mother's nudge worked, and she has not been hungry since.  

Mothers demonstrate. 

Shannon Latham, Little English children's clothing owner, is southern charm wrapped up with a bow. She could be on the cover of Southern Living or Garden and Gun any day now if she hasn't already. She gives her mother credit for inspiring her design taste and affinity for hospitality. Summertrees, the family farm in Mississippi, is where Shannon learned how to cook, set the table, pour a drink, and transplant daylilies. Many of her life loves have flourished from those budding mom moments. 

Mothers take care of business. 

Bill Samuels, Jr., second President of Maker's Mark Distillery, tells the story of the "uninvited project manager," his mother. The "north star" that Bill references was the brand shift to connoisseurship, a move that has helped put Kentucky on the global map. His mother was integral to the company's success as its brand developer. She was the first woman inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame as a result, and her influence on Bill Jr., the bourbon marketing maverick, was indelible.

Mothers protect. 

Gentille Natakarutimana, a Burundian refugee, came to Kentucky the long, hard way, and her mother was an integral part of that journey. With one child in her belly, one on her back, and two little ones in tow, she traveled on foot in the dark of night to find the boat to Zambia, a refuge from the ongoing Rwandan conflict. Gentille was only five years old when they hid from soldiers crossing. She vividly remembers, and today in her imagination, she grabs her mother's hand and pulls from that same courage as she approaches her young and free life.  

Mothers see and save. 

Clayton Mullins’ mother saw him and knew, as mothers do, and welcomed him home regardless and especially of circumstances. The instinct is honed for survival, and rarely does it dull. In offering her son a place for rest and renewal, she allowed him to find himself again, and by extension, she provided the same lifeline to the many with whom Clayton now shares his experience.

 We are beyond excited to be wrapping up this year-long journey so we can share it with everyone, at our multimedia exhibition at LexArts Gallery starting August 22, 2022 through September and in our beautiful 11 x 11 hardbound book to be released around the same time.