THE LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY HEALING GARDEN
THE LAS VEGAS COMMUNITY HEALING GARDEN
“He who plants a tree plants hope”
–Lucy Larcom
Welcome to The Las Vegas Healing Garden, an area of this site devoted to the 58 lives lost and countless others forever impacted by the tragic shooting that took place in Las Vegas on October 1st, 2017.
Jay’s original sketch
It is also devoted to the outpouring of love and compassion that resulted: On October 2nd, Jay Pleggenkuhle, owner of Stonerose Landscapes sketched the idea for Las Vegas Memorial Healing Garden on the back of a napkin. The city donated the land, local companies donated the materials, and countless volunteers showed up to dig dirt, plant trees, and unite in community. On October 6th, the garden was officially open and dedicated.
detail, in-progress Angel Wing
I am honored to share that my husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, was chosen to sculpt a massive pair of fossilized bluestone Angel Wings that will be part of the in-progress, permanent Remembrance Wall, honoring everyone impacted by this tragedy. 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. As a theme that spans almost all religions, Angel Wings represent messengers, guardians, and loved ones lost.
The Las Vegas Memorial Healing Garden was not created with any true outcome in mind – Jay Pleggenkuhle was simply, “moved to get people together to create something of joy and beauty instead of destruction.”
Jay’s intentions proved strong that our country now has a sacred place of beauty, growth and life to remind us that there is nothing more powerful than love.
To follow the creation of Bobby’s Angel Wings for the Las Vegas Healing Garden, follow me on Instagram @ElizabethBryanStudio and also follow facebook.com/lvhealinggarden.
To view more of Bobby’s Angel Wing sculptures, click here.
The city of Las Vegas has launched a Community Healing Fund to maintain the Las Vegas Community Healing Garden and maintain public art created in the wake of the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Strip. Donations will also be used to provide grants for counseling, safety services and community events related to the shooting aftermath.
The fund is being managed by the Nevada Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and can be made online at www.cityoflasvegas.link/healingfund. Your contribution continues this healing garden journey of life and hope.