She said, “we are flowers of one garden” and we’re left to wonder if she knew how profound those words would be to us now. Erica Hinson Denny (aka Artfisch) leaves behind a loving family and a community of friends and admirers who have been deeply touched by her light. Her ability to see the world with a singular vision and relay that to others in an entirely unique and sincere way makes the time we had with her that much more precious. She was gifted in the sense that she was the conduit that enabled others to see and feel from an entirely new perspective. The world through her eyes bursts with color and light and often reveals the better spirit in all of us. For this, we are grateful for having known her.
On Friday night we witnessed a man reach an important milestone in his life and career. While validation comes in many forms there are only a few moments in a person's life that pay dividends quite the way this one did for Shodekeh. Once an usher at The Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, he returned to astound those in the audience who had yet to experience his talent. For those of us who have watched him progress over the years, the moment conjured a sense of pride and inspiration. Shodekeh stood on that stage with many of the most respected musicians in the city because he made the necessary sacrifices to do so. The fact that he did it on his own terms was as impressive as the performance.