This month’s featured art depicts the incredible power and beauty that can be found in stepping back.
This brief video represents one tiny piece of a community united in an outpouring of compassion, borne from tragedy. On October 1st, 2017, 58 lives were tragically lost in Las Vegas, during the biggest shooting massacre our country has ever seen. These in-progress Angel Wings are being sculpted by my husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, to be installed in the Las Vegas Memorial Healing Garden, which cropped up just one day after the shooting. They will bear the initials of every life lost, forever honoring and memorializing these individuals.
The idea for the Las Vegas Memorial Healing Garden came from Jay Pleggenkuhle, owner of Stonerose Landscapes. On Monday October 2nd, Jay stepped back: he could not bear the thought of “business as usual.” He reached out to the city with the idea of a community healing garden, and by Friday of the same week, the garden was being dedicated by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. Thousands of volunteers spent the week in preparation – digging dirt, planting trees, writing notes to love ones lost, and uniting in community.
Second Lady Karen Pence, with mom/advocate, Deanne Breedlove
Bobby’s Angel Wing sculptures have provided sanctuary and healing in private and public collections, most notably at Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas, where they were recently visited by Second Lady Karen Pence, who is an educator and advocate for Art Therapy. As a theme that spans almost all religions, Angel Wings represent messengers, guardians, and loved ones lost. Bobby’s wings were chosen to be part of the Remembrance Wall at the center of the Las Vegas Healing Garden. They are one small part of the outpouring of compassion that has emerged from this tragedy.
By “stepping back,” Jay Pleggenkuhle provided an amazing opportunity for thousands of people around the country, including Bobby, to step forward, uniting in hope and healing. A big “thank you” to Jay, and to every single person who jumped on board to help.
To follow the creation of Bobby’s Angel Wings for the Las Vegas Healing Garden, follow me on Instagram @ElizabethBryanStudio and also follow @LVHealingGarden. To view more of Bobby’s Angel Wing sculptures, click here.
Sending Much Love and Light in 2018,
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