The Empty Nest Art Hat by Monica Curry This is my art hat The Empty Nest that was in the art show Hats From a Life Lived held in Fall 2014. The show was organised by Manitoba fibre artist Colette Balcaen and the concept for the show was quite beautiful. “When [Anastazja Urbanik] passed on at the age of 94, I received many of her hats. Now my project, Hats From a Life Lived , gives the opportunity to many artists to express an aspect of their life. The participants adapt a hat from another life to give it a new life." Colette Balcaen The Empty Nest was created to commemorate my journey that began 25 years ago after losing a child to an ectopic pregnancy. Prior to my miscarriage, I experienced many years of infertility, so this loss was especially tragic. I grew up during a time when women were often defined by their ability to have children. So, the experience of infertility and subsequent miscarriage forced me to explore my ...