Hometown Hero on WOOD TV at ArtPrize
WOOD TV studio on location for ArtPrize at the Grand Rapids Art Museum interviews Pamela about Hometown Hero.
Hometown Hero: Honoring Those Who Have Sacrificed
After signing the names of their heroes, a few elderly men have stood in front of Hometown Hero, raised their weathered hands, and saluted their fallen comrades. A few tears fall every time I think of this tender imagery.
Hometown Hero Voted Top 20 in Round 1 of Public Voting!
“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.
A special thank you to all the volunteers, supporters, ArtPrize Seven visitors, and voters that helped make this Top 20 happen!
Seven Years at ArtPrize
Pamela Alderman, a seven-year ArtPrize artist and a three-year finalist, creates interactive works that touch thousands of visitors with the message of hope and healing. Following ArtPrize, Pamela’s installations continue to be exhibited; The Scarlet Cord, from ArtPrize 2014, was featured in Phoenix during Super Bowl 2015.
ArtPrize History: Companions 2009, Woman in Red 2010, Braving the Wind 2011, Courage Ablaze 2012 (Top 100), Wing and a Prayer 2013 (Top 50), The Scarlet Cord 2014 (Top 25), Hometown Hero 2015
Pamela Interviewed on Shelley Irwin’s Morning Show
Pamela was interviewed again this year on Shelley Irwin’s Morning Show to discuss her Hometown Hero ArtPrize Seven project.
The Scarlet Cord Film: The Viewers Respond!
The Scarlet Cord Film premiered at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in partnership with Women At Risk International this past week. The film, shot in Phoenix during the 2015 Super Bowl, helps raise awareness for children tethered in modern day slavery. Viewers gave an energetic response. The evening was an enormous success!
Here’s what some of the viewers had to say:
The film really brought out the idea of how these bonds hold tight, even if they are not physical bonds, but emotional ones. Its only by advocacy thru education, speaking out, and taking a stand, that these bonds can be broken. Beautifully done! Aaron
Powerful! I’m here tonight because my 15-year-old son walked through The Scarlet Cord at ArtPrize last fall; this was the piece that impacted him the most. He came home talking about it. Thank you.
What does it take to get this message into the 6th grade and middle schools? Kids often know things.
Unbelievable. Heart wrenching. Kay
Very compelling and an excellent way to show the severity of human trafficking, It would be great to see this made into a film for the masses to see at the theaters. Tammy
This was my story. (Young male viewer)
Remembering 9/11 and Our Heroes
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
Today we remember the heroes of 9/11. Men and women who put their lives on the line for others. Firemen who rushed into the burning Twin Towers to save lives. A Catholic priest who was praying for and helping others at Ground Zero. And Todd Beamer and several other courageous passengers who fought hijackers on United Airlines Flight 93. All of these heroes, and more, died on 9/11 while trying to help others.
Today we also want to remember the life of another American hero: Army Spc. Eric Burri, who joined the military after 9/11 to protect our country. Sadly, after two deployments, Eric died while defending our freedom. But Eric’s heroic service is about more than laying down his life for others. Eric’s inspiring story is also about his parents and a community coming together to help the children of Iraq—to continue Eric’s legacy.
Here’s a glimpse into Eric’s story:
“Dad, I’m not afraid to die.”
Eric’s picture rests between two angel figurines. Another tiny photo of Eric with a small American flag hangs from the center of the kitchen curtain rod. His dad remembers when Eric announced with a smile, “Dad, I did it. I joined.” The next day he graduated from high school.
“The military taught Eric a lot,” said his dad. “Eric started understanding that life wasn’t just about him; it was about others too.” While deployed to Iraq, a letter came from a changing Eric who said the Iraqi children didn’t have shoes. Eric wrote, “Mom, if I could, I would give them the shoes off my feet.”
His father continued, “In May of 2005, Eric came home for a short visit and took his sweetheart shopping to look at diamond rings. He only had five more months left to serve in Iraq.” A few weeks later on Tuesday, June 7, a roadside bomb exploded in Baghdad and killed Eric.
“To honor Eric’s love for the Iraqi children, we collected thousands of shoes and sent them to Iraq,” said his dad as he wiped away a tear. At twenty-one years old, while living life to the full, Eric gave the ultimate sacrifice: his life.
Eric’s life is being celebrated during ArtPrize Seven at an art installation called Hometown Hero. The work first and foremost honors the life of Army Spc. Eric Burri. But the work also serves another purpose.
Hometown Hero invites ArtPrize visitors to add the name of their own heroes to the 24 x 6-foot painting. This interactive art installation remembers the heroes of 9/11 as well as all the other heroes who have touched our lives.
Learn more about Hometown Hero and watch Eric Burri’s Story…
Many of you would like to help support the Hometown Hero art installation. You can make your donations at YouCaring to support the project. Thank you.