Beauty Amid Destruction
Update 7/2/11
As you are out in the areas that were affected by the April 27th tornado you may begin to see the "Beauty Amid Destruction" banners popping up. We are a partner on this project. Artists from around the country have the opportunity to submit art work to be displayed on large banners throughout the path of the tornado. Nucor Steel donated the posts to hang the banners. For more information visit www.beautyamiddestruction.com. Sandy Wolfe, director of the Tuscaloosa Arts Council presented the project to the Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday, July 18, 2011 and the city is very supportive. Interns Meridith Shook and Rebecca Magner will work with Jean Mills on this exciting project.
Background information: taken from www.beautyamiddestruction.com
OUR MISSION:
Our mission is to offer comfort, pleasure, and hope to our friends and neighbors affected by the tornadoes that struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama in April 2011.
PURPOSE:
Beauty Amid Destruction was created as a counterbalance to the devastating force of the massive, mile wide wall of 200+ mph winds that carved a nearly 7- mile deadly path through our city this spring.
We feel the deep sorrow over the loss of loved ones and the familiar comfort of homes taken by this devastating power of nature. We are facing a destroyed landscape and mountains of debris containing our buildings, vehicles, trees, and personal belongings.
The quick response by the people of Alabama and volunteers from around the country was nothing short of heroic. Clean up, re-grouping, and re-building have begun. However, the emotional and physical stress of these jobs is relentless and the ravaged landscape is a reminder of all we lost and how much we have to do.
In response to this overwhelming event, we are setting about to bring to our community gifts of love in the form of beauty amid the destruction. All of us need a little ray of hope now and then to lift us up and carry us through the darkest days.
OUR FIRST PROJECT – ART BANNERS:
Our goal for our first project is to install at least 100 outdoor banners with works of art throughout the impacted areas by summer’s end. The images on these Beauty Amid Destruction banners are to bring brightness, joy and pleasure.
We are asking for participation from local artists, as well as artists across the nation, who understand the power of art and welcome the opportunity to utilize art to help our hurting community.
Our hope is that the folks hard at work in this important job of rebuilding lives will be delighted by the surprise of these banners with art work that is intended to offer encouragement as they go through difficult days.
The concept of art on vinyl banners will keep the installation of artwork flexible and fluid with the changing face of progress of our area’s reconstruction. All banners will be placed outdoors in carefully considered locations that take into account safety, visibility, and convenience for landowners.
For details about this arts banner project, click here. To request a banner for your property, click here.