Broken Wings: Giving Kids Hope

General

National bullying specialist Jeff Veley and I collaborated in making a few Broken Wings videos to give students, families, and educators new tools to deal with bullying and cyberbullying. Watch our daily updates as we release new videos throughout ArtPrize Ten.

We also invite you to visit Jeff’s page and sign up for his free training videos. His message on how to deal with bullying is solid stuff. Jeff’s teaches kids about the power of kindness, emotional resilience, and how to solve their own social problems. Jeff’s success has been recognized across the nation, and he has received several educational awards. So, check out his page.

What can you specifically do to help protect your children or your students from cyberbullying?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Art That Involves You

General

To help solve our national problem of bullying and school shootings—from Columbine to Parkland to Santa Fe—what steps can we take to start a positive butterfly effect?

Broken Wings is an artist/citizen work. This participatory installation invites a response. The work gives individuals an opportunity to get involved. To take action.

Broken Wings visitors are invited to connect a colorful band onto the interactive panels as a commitment to start a butterfly effect—where one positive choice impacts another positive choice. With each band, we collectively make a promise to help bring an end to the suffering, chaos, and brokenness. From the broken wings across the United States—let’s make new choices for a better future. Let’s help heal our nation.

How can you get involved and help heal our nation? What can you do to help heal your family or your neighborhood?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Artist Statement

Behind the Artwork

Recently, we witnessed the historic youth march in D.C., remembered the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High tragedy, and learned about many young people suffering from bullying. Meanwhile, some current solutions only seem to trigger more verbal bullets and political bullying. But to help our kids break out of the cocoon—those who are hurting, isolated, bullied, or struggling with caustic emotions—we need to help cultivate an environment of safety and peace.

Broken Wings is about bullying, school shooting, and starting a Butterfly Effect—where one positive choice impacts another positive choice—to help better our broken world. For ArtPrize Ten, the installation will be located at the Grand Rapids Public Museum (the merry-go-round museum west of the river). We look forward to interacting with you again this year and hearing about more of your stories. Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

What is one positive choice you can make to help heal our broken world?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: Whitney’s Story

Behind the Artwork

After being voted on the homecoming court as a cruel joke, Whitney, a Michigan teen, decided to stand up to her whole high school. But her journey wasn’t easy. Responding to the negative butterfly effect, she said, “I feel like trash.” Whitney even considered ending her life.

But with her sister’s influence, Whitney opted for a bold move: Face her bullies and go through with the homecoming event. When local business caught on, they generously responded and gave Whitney a makeover. Throughout the challenging process, Whitney’s emotional resiliency began to strengthen.

In the end, she concluded, “I’m not the joke everyone thinks I am.” Whitney’s flight towards courage influenced her community and our nation—causing a Butterfly Effect that reverberates with hope and healing. Her actions are still challenging teens to grow through their challenges by making different choices.

What’s your next bold move as you face struggles or negativity? How can you make a positive difference?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Broken Wings: A New Journey

Behind the Artwork

Broken Wings invites individuals on a new journey. While some of the traditional arguments over bullying and school gun violence are stalemated, why not consider new ways—different ways—on solving our national problem? How could each of us personally help to make a difference? For ArtPrize Ten, we are inviting visitors to consider starting a positive Butterfly Effect to empower children and help heal our broken nation.

The Butterfly Effect, an alternative scientific theory, challenges us to consider that every action has a reaction. Like the tiny flutter from the butterfly’s wings, the smallest deed or word has impact. Every interaction—positive or negative—has the potential to change the course of a child’s life.

We may not be able to stop all bullying and gun violence from happening. But we can all create positive change and be part of the solution.

What is one thing you can do to help bring about positive change and help heal your school, your family, or your community?

Broken Wings
Grand Rapids Public Museum
272 Pearl Street NW (west of the river)
September 19 to October 7, 2018
Vote #66688

In light of the recent tragic school shootings across America, find out how you can create positive change from national bullying specialist Jeff Veley.

Share your story #BrokenWings

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Color Me Orange: Words Matter

Behind the Artwork

Color Me Orange—Color Me Kind shines a spotlight on bullying. The installation is specifically tailored for middle school students–often the most vulnerable. Sadly, some of these students suffer so intensely from bullying that they believe that suicide is the way to end it all.

By choosing to be deliberately kind, our actions have the potential to brighten someone’s world. Maybe kindness, love, and understanding could have helped those who had struggled with bullying and then committed suicide. Life-affirming creativity that invites reflection and flourishing can heal.

How can you help stop bullying? Tell us your story #ColorMeKind

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Color Me Orange: The Power of Kindness

Behind the Artwork

Like past ArtPrize installations, Color Me Orange—Color Me Kind surfaced more stories about the power of kindness. Take Tracy’s story.

Tracy suffered through grade school bullying and shunning because of having a physical defect. Do you know what she did with her pain? She let it make her more sensitive to others. So, when she noticed Rick, another loner, she decided to take a risk. But the story doesn’t end the way Tracy expected. See what happens.

How has demonstrating kindness to someone brought a different result than what you expected? Share your story #ColorMeKind

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!