Flashback to Pre-ArtPrize Hometown Hero

Behind the Artwork

A father and son honor their hero as Hometown Hero was set up for ArtPrize

It’s been 3 weeks since Hometown Hero looked like this but here is the story behind the picture:

While I was installing Hometown Hero in preparation for ArtPrize Seven, a father and his son wanted to participate by writing the names of their heroes on the painting. But, unfortunately, I didn’t have any Sharpie pens. So the two men left. But a few minutes later, they returned with a newly purchased Sharpie pen.

Touched by their eagerness to interact with my artwork, I paused to watch them. The two spent several minutes standing close to the painting. When they were finished, the father thanked me for the opportunity to reflect on their heroes. Then he gave me the pen.

As I watched them leave, I thought this father truly illustrates the essence of Hometown Hero—highlighting the beauty within our world.

Hometown Hero Voted Top 20 Finalist

General

Thank you to everyone who supported Hometown Hero! I’ve never made it this far even after seven years of ArtPrize but I finished as a Top 20 Finalist and 3rd Place in the Time-Based category. What an amazing journey!

I also need rest after such an exhausting schedule yet so many of my experiences need to be told. I’ll highlight some of those stories over the next few days, then take my break until next month when Courage Ablaze will be showing at MSU.

All Heroes Bind Us Together

Behind the Artwork

ArtPrize Seven visitor honors his hero on a full canvas of other heroes binding us all together A group of young ArtPrize Seven visitors talk with Hometown Hero artist Pamela Alderman Hero messages being layered atop other heroes signifying we are all bound together

ArtPrize Seven visitor response to Hometown Hero has been amazing. So many thousands of heroes being honored. So much reflection and emotion and conversations and silent contemplation. The full canvas cannot stop the expansion of this time-based art. Hero messages are tightly packed, intertwined, now even layered as a reminder that all heroes bind us together through their examples and acts of selflessness.

Hometown Hero Voted Top 20 in Round 1 of Public Voting!

Behind the Artwork

Hometown Hero artist Pamela Alderman on Rosa Parks Circle stage after being voted Top 20 in Round 1 of public vote for ArtPrize Seven“That’s my boy!” shouted John Burri, when “Hometown Hero,” Pamela Alderman’s Time-Based entry, placed in the top five for Time-Based art. His cry rang out above the applause as he was filled with pride and tears of joy at the announcement.

The piece features Burri’s son, Eric Burri, fallen soldier from Wyoming, Michigan who served in Iraq until 2005 when he was killed by a roadside bomb.

See more of this story…

A special thank you to all the volunteers, supporters, ArtPrize Seven visitors, and voters that helped make this Top 20 happen!