Though our creative roots started locally with a decade of ArtPrize experience, our art outreach has expanded from Grand Rapids to New York to Norfolk to Denver to San Francisco and beyond. With this expansion, we thought it was especially important to clarify what we do, since one of our own contractors—who works for us…
DetailsAs an artist, I create inspiring signature pieces for the workplace or community spaces. These unique projects serve to welcome viewers into a healing place. The Cut Short commission entailed constructing the Cut Short Veterans Memorial Garden and creating the collage painting shown above. The 3 x 5 foot wooden flag was specifically crafted in…
DetailsEarlier this spring, while attending a memorial ceremony for fallen local soldiers, I heard one gold star mother say, “If my son were still alive, I would be a grandmother by now.” Her deep grief spoke of yesterday’s sorrow. As I listened to her heartache, the initial creative seeds for the Cut Short veterans memorial…
DetailsJetta’s Story One of my Congolese friends, whom I’ll call Jetta, is a true woman of courage. Her story, as well as the stories of several other refugees, inspired my work called Courage Ablaze. This vignette tells part of her amazing story of courage in the face of life-threatening situations: Jetta and her children fled…
DetailsTammy’s Story Survivors often begin to experience healing when they finally acknowledge the sexual abuse. Over time, some even reach the point when they can let go of the guilt and shame. These first bold steps often end up sparking hope. This inspirational story occurred at The Scarlet Cord exhibit: While I was raising awareness…
DetailsArmy Spc. Eric T. Burri’s Story Do life’s challenges make heroes or reveal heroes? Army Spc. Eric Burri was killed while serving in Iraq, but his parents, John and Joanne Burri, kept his memory alive by rallying an entire Midwest community to help Iraqi children. Eric’s life and his parents’ example of how to turn…
DetailsWhitney’s Story The butterfly effect, an alternative scientific theory, challenges us to consider that every tiny action could have a large effect. The smallest deed or word–positive or negative–has the potential to change the course of an individual’s life. Whitney’s story demonstrates how to turn heartache into an opportunity for hope: Whitney, a bullied Michigan…
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