Luminary Project / May 15 - 18, 2020 (9 pm to midnight each night)
Location: Van Dorn Street (between 76th and 75th Streets), Lincoln, NE
Medium: Recycled glass jars, stained glass, wood
Twenty-four handmade luminaries grace the north side of VanDorn street, each one made during the safer-at-home mandate from the state of Nebraska during the Covid-19 challenges of the spring. During the time at home, I played my regular roles of mother, wife, artist, house-keeper & cook and added educational supervisor to online learning for my three sons and "hands on field trip coordinator" for them as well. But the new added responsibilities of guidance and the everyday accompanying of my kiddos didn't squelch this artist's need to create. In fact, the need to make something just grew even when it was hard to find the time to get in the studio. I wasn't super interested in working on my studio work involving mosaics and trees, but didn't know what I was being asked to make. I knew creating would be highly important during this time at home, but I never knew how it would help me wrestle through larger issues including how I was or wasn't being called to help some, inspire others, or care for those close to me. From the beginning I knew I'd be making 24 luminaries and I was a bit scared the whole pandemic would be over before they could take their place on our side lawn, but I kept making them and 7 weeks later they were ready. The process has been as enriching as seeing the final project installed or maybe MORE.
My hope is that people will see these along the street, slow down, enjoy, be in awe, and feel a sense of wonder. Something out of the ordinary and beautiful.
Stay tuned for more images from the installation period and links to videos sharing the process and some of my personal thoughts about the project. I welcome questions, comments, thoughts via email.
Location: Van Dorn Street (between 76th and 75th Streets), Lincoln, NE
Medium: Recycled glass jars, stained glass, wood
Twenty-four handmade luminaries grace the north side of VanDorn street, each one made during the safer-at-home mandate from the state of Nebraska during the Covid-19 challenges of the spring. During the time at home, I played my regular roles of mother, wife, artist, house-keeper & cook and added educational supervisor to online learning for my three sons and "hands on field trip coordinator" for them as well. But the new added responsibilities of guidance and the everyday accompanying of my kiddos didn't squelch this artist's need to create. In fact, the need to make something just grew even when it was hard to find the time to get in the studio. I wasn't super interested in working on my studio work involving mosaics and trees, but didn't know what I was being asked to make. I knew creating would be highly important during this time at home, but I never knew how it would help me wrestle through larger issues including how I was or wasn't being called to help some, inspire others, or care for those close to me. From the beginning I knew I'd be making 24 luminaries and I was a bit scared the whole pandemic would be over before they could take their place on our side lawn, but I kept making them and 7 weeks later they were ready. The process has been as enriching as seeing the final project installed or maybe MORE.
My hope is that people will see these along the street, slow down, enjoy, be in awe, and feel a sense of wonder. Something out of the ordinary and beautiful.
Stay tuned for more images from the installation period and links to videos sharing the process and some of my personal thoughts about the project. I welcome questions, comments, thoughts via email.