Arts Consortium of Carver County

Machu Picchu Sacred Site and Mountains
By Gina Gafford
Through the Lens
Photography
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County
ACCC Gallery at the Chaska Community Center (artsofcarvercounty.org)
July 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025

I took these two photos of Machu Picchu while visiting Peru in June 2025. Machu Picchu is sacred because the site was inaccessible, and the Incas had deep knowledge of nature and spirituality. It is one of the world’s seven wonders, and it has around 5,000 visitors a day. There are around 1,600 stone steps up to the Machu Picchu site.

The Incas worshipped their gods, including the sun, the moon, the mountains, and the earth. People visit Machu Picchu to experience the sun’s healing energy, admire the stunning mountains, and explore the Inca farming terraces. It is commonly believed that Machu Picchu was used as a royal estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti.

Chaska Community Center ACCC Gallery (11×14 photos)

Chaska Community Center ACCC Gallery

Tree of Greatness
By Gina Gafford
Member’s Show
Photo and Poem
Sponsored by the Literary Committee of the Arts Consortium of Carver County
ACCC Gallery at the Chaska Community Center (artsofcarvercounty.org)
November 11, 2024 – January 10, 2025

I took the photo of this ancient, impressive tree when I was in Ireland in September 2024. The beautiful tree is around 600 years old and resides at Blarney Castle & Gardens in Cork. The tree is called the “Witch’s Yew Tree.” The witch is a typical figure of fantastic legends in Ireland. In 2019, the Witch’s Yew Tree was voted Ireland’s Tree of the Year!

I decided to name the poem “Tree of Greatness” because I could see how the yew tree connected with the energies of the cosmos combined with what I thought defined greatness.

Tree of Greatness
By Gina Gafford

I was born
from a seed of hope

the sun within my leaves said
grow to greatness
and be a channel of
love

the stars within my many branches said
reach out with discovery

the ancestors within my trunk said
reach deep with introspection

the milky way within my roots said
make respectful connections

the moon within my sap said
dream of heaven on earth

nothing born will die