The Dancer
U-turns and Finding Art in Unexpected Places
Heading west on I-40 from Oklahoma, Shamrock is the first Texas town you come to and was my turning-around point on my first I-40 trip. This little town was part of the inspiration for the movie Cars. I pulled into a parking lot to get my bearings and used my phone to consider my options. Information about the Conoco Tower Station (Dinoco in the Cars movie) came up as did the Shamrock Water Tower and a few other places - all the usual Historic Route 66 tourist stops.
But another site intrigued me and appeared to be less than .25 miles away. It was a statue called The Dancer. Missing my family, this dancer brought to mind my own dancer, who just a couple of weeks before had completed her dance season at Nationals. So I set out to find the statue and send a picture to my daughter.
I had no sooner turned left out of the parking lot than my online map started twisting and turning and flashing “recalculating,” as it does when heading the wrong direction. What? I went the way you told me! Before I barely got the tires going straight in one direction, it had me doing a U-turn. I followed the directions and went back the way I had just come from. I passed the parking lot and went across the interstate before the map started recalculating again and started telling me to do another U-turn.
Now, I am all about second chances, so I don’t mind U-turns. I have even used them for lessons with children over the years about turning back to God and getting second chances with forgiveness. But this was getting a bit ridiculous. Besides, I had been both ways now and the only place to go was back to the parking lot. Huh?
I pulled back in and there to the side of the building stood The Dancer. She was oddly beautiful. Graceful with limbs outstretched, standing in dark contrast to the bright blue sky in the 100 degree heat. But odd in that this statue was actually a sculpture made of random metal objects.
A large spring here and huge bolts there. A putty knife attached to a wrench. Rods, a pedal, washers of all sizes, even a large metal house number 3. Hinges, pistons, oil rings, caps and who knows what else formed the limbs, face, and body of this dancer. These clunky, rust-colored pieces were given new life, a second chance. They each took their place in creating this girl whose form appeared flexible and graceful, with hair falling behind her lifted face, dancing for all to see.
As pictured here, I did see the Conoco Tower Station and the Shamrock Water Tower. But the beauty of this statue is what stayed with me. I have researched her a bit, but can’t find out anything other than following the artist Derek Vinyard on Instagram d.vinyard.art. His art is beautiful and intriguing. His first post I could access was actually of him saying “The Dancer has a home” on April 10, 2021. Nothing I can find about why he made it, nor why it was installed in that particular place.
So I am left to believe it is one of those offerings I continue to find on the journey; one of those things done just to bring a bit of joy to a passing stranger. Like bicycles hanging in trees (have I told you about those yet?), and funny signs in front lawns. For you see, that parking lot I turned out of - only to be brought back to - was the place I had stopped to refill my tank. The Dancer was at a gas station…complete with a Taco Bell.
More for the Journey…
Much like my second chances in the U-turns, this statue gave old pieces new life.
Consider ways you have been given second chances. GIve God thanks for those U-turn moments in life.
Find something you no longer use and give it new life by either creating something new with it or giving it away to be enjoyed by someone else.
Praise God with drum and dance! Praise God with strings and pipe!
Psalm 150:4
The Dancer statue, with her face lifted to the heavens, brought to mind praising God.
I wonder if we can’t praise God with pistons and rods, putty knives and bolts, washers and pipes?! Have some fun today by finding some unexpected items to use to praise God in song and dance
I welcome your comments about unexpected places you found beauty as well as how your journey is going.
Thank you Jenny! I love your postings! I am going to look at all the stuff in our garage differently now. 🙂
Simply beautiful, Jenny.