Debut at Folsom: Art, Rope, and the Spirit of Freedom

I cried for a few hours before sitting down to write this. At least I still have my words to share my thoughts.

A friend’s inclusive safe space recently shut down, and it hit me harder than I expected. Another safe space gone…

That’s one of the reasons the Folsom Street Fair feels so significant. It’s more than an event, it’s a space that celebrates community, unity, and strength.

That’s also the top reason Tied By The Sea™ chose to debut there. Folsom welcomes everyone without judgment. People travel from far and wide, some part of the community, some just curious, and for one day, they get to experience a kind of freedom that’s rare, especially in today’s political climate.

This is a safe space we deeply believe in, and debuting here was our way of showing support and gratitude.

Now, I’m trying not to turn this into a play-by-play retelling, lol…

We arrived at the loading zone around 7 AM on Sunday, 9/28. The street was quiet, the calm before the storm. Lieven and I were excited to see our pre-set booth and start unloading.

Setup went smoothly, and I took a walk along Folsom Street to check out other vendors. It was peaceful seeing people dressed up, down, or simply as they are. That sense of belonging: the freedom to express yourself without fear, was powerful. I even met someone from Rhode Island who flew in with his girlfriend just to experience this day!

The fair officially opened at 11 AM and peaked in the early afternoon.

Lieven and I sat in our little “oasis gallery,” watching people double- and triple-take as they passed by our booth. It was thrilling and validating to see our work capture attention. Friends stopped by to support us, strangers complimented our photos, and some stayed to learn our story.

Time flew by faster than we expected. The crowd thinned after 5 PM, and we started breaking down at 6. Police and volunteers worked hard to clear the streets, and as night fell, I sat there thinking, What a day!

We did it!

We’ll be back next year! With more art to share, and the same commitment to celebrating acceptance, peace, and love!

Love,

G