For immediate release

ME & NH PRESS CONTACT:
Mary E. Regan, Publicist
207-807-2718 – meregan@maine.rr.com

SILVER CRAYON STUDIOS launches "The Irreverent Widow Project"
A multimedia connection to one woman’s reflections on love, death and dating... with children in tow.

Portland, ME (October 29, 2007) – With November being "Hospice Month", Hospice of Southern Maine and the Maine Center for Creativity are cosponsoring “The Irreverent Widow Project” exhibit opening during the First Friday Artwalk on November 2, 2007 from 5-9pm. The public and press are invited to experience this unique display of art and words with a message. Artist Sandi Amorello has been an irreverent young widow since 2002, the mother of three children since 1998...and a Girl Scout dropout since 1971. "Losing my husband Drew to pancreatic cancer propelled me headfirst on a journey into grief, single parenting, and, perhaps most tragic of all… midlife courtship. I have become a reluctant expert on love, death, and dating. Being widowed has not been fun. It has, however, been quite humorous at times."

Ever since she learned to talk, Sandi has been a storyteller. She tells her stories through a combination of the visual and the written and has chosen a select number of pieces that will provide an intimate glimpse into her first book. Her Portland, Maine gallery will house an evolving and ever changing exhibit of multisensory, artful vignettes that are visual celebrations of her story. Future plans include having a traveling exhibit for this project…to inspire, educate, and encourage more comfortable communication around the topic of loss.

"There is a gaping void in our society. An audible ache. Loss is all around us. It comes in different forms. It permeates our lives. But not many want to address it... and, most certainly, even fewer want to tell the truth about the whole experience. That parts of it are painfully funny. That laughter and tears go together."

"I have gained new insights and a perspective not many people have at my age... or at any age. My experience has allowed me to see with great clarity that the world of loss and grief is in need of a spokesperson. One with a sense of humor... and waterproof mascara."

Sandi is not giving any sermons, lectures, or a quick fix for dealing with loss in your life. "I haven't seen the face of a religious figure in my croissant... or figured out how to do speed grieving." She does, however, have her own 89-step grieving program which she will be happy to share with you. She is not selling "Sandi's way of grieving and getting on with it." She is simply sharing her story. For the past four years, she has been doing just that... with equal parts tenderness, irreverence, and humor. She has seen first hand what it can do. It can heal, it can motivate... and it can inspire. "Now that I no longer have tissue lint clinging to my eyelashes, I am ready to share my story with the world."

Ms. Amorello's story is told with a level of honesty and vulnerability that enables most anyone to relate, connect... and aspire. "I invite you to experience my story through the words, the art, and the grounded sense of humor that brings it to life." On November 2nd, Silver Crayon Studios will be launching "The Irreverent Widow Project". Please join us for a celebration of life.

Silver Crayon Studios is located at 75 Oak Street in downtown Portland, ME 04101, in the Arts District off Congress Street near Maine College of Art. Gallery hours, beginning November 2, 2007, are Thursdays and Fridays 2:00 to 7:00 PM and by appointment. Please call 617.851.2257 or visit the website at www.silvercrayonstudios.com

Also, don't miss Raphael Di Luzio's show, The Eye in Time, at the Jameson Modern. This exhibition continues through Saturday, November 3.