My Family is Flourishing .
Vandeventer Park Visual Mock Up
“My Family is Flourishing” is my contribution to a city funded creative placemaking project that aims to turn vacant lots into involved community spaces and fortifying surrounding neighborhoods. The project spearheaded by the St Louis Art Commerce had a rigorous and competitive call for local artists in 2021 that selected 3 collaborating creators to install permanent interactive art installations and community involvement projects in 3 brand new parks in North City. The Park locations border the newly installed Greenways that offers a beautifully landscaped walking and biking path with city paid security that connects the previously divided north and south side of St. Louis City. The project works to shrink the gap in cultural, racial and economic inequality caused by the “ Delmar Divide. ”
Myself and the other selected collaborating artists have been working with Missouri sewer and water division, city planners, greenway executives, and engineers and irrigation architects to prepare the land for a sustainable installation in June and July of 2024. I couldn’t be more excited to see our efforts come full circle this summer and in a way it feels like the birth of a child.
I have chosen to call my installations “ My Family Is Flourishing” parts 1,2 and 3 because my unique installations will use living herbs and flowers and thoughtful sculptural elements in beautiful and functional ways to support children and families in play and social and emotional growth.
Recall that serene feeling? I'm thrilled to introduce a thoughtfully designed mindfulness garden on the adjacent lot to Vandeventer Park
This sanctuary will boast areas of tranquil brown and white sand, adorned with carefully selected stones that double as inviting seating arrangements. This space is a haven, beckoning children and adults alike to slow their pace and engage with their surroundings.
Elevating the experience is an enchanting elevated balance beam maze, meandering gracefully through the native flora. As individuals traverse this labyrinth, they are prompted to mindfully observe their environment, fostering a deeper connection to the present moment
Visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in the sensory experience, feeling the cool sand slip through their fingers and exploring with various tools scattered throughout the area. Amidst the beauty of topiaries and fragrant local herbs and flowers, participants can reconnect with nature and themselves.
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At the heart of Vandeventer Park, a captivating life-sized living sculpture will emerge, embodying the essence of familial love and nurturing amidst a sea of perennial blooms. This magnificent artwork will feature a mother, father, and child, sculpted from a custom-made wire structure elegantly wrapped in chicken wire.
An internal irrigation system, powered by solar energy and supplemented by collected rainwater from a nearby barrel, will sustain the sculpture's vitality. Through this innovative design, the family tableau will thrive, serving as a symbol of resilience and growth.
Within the structure, soil and moss will be meticulously layered, providing a fertile foundation for native sedums to take root and flourish. As these resilient plants intertwine with the wire frame, they will evoke a sense of natural harmony and interconnectedness.
In a community where many children lack a father figure, this sculpture stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. By challenging societal norms and celebrating diverse family structures, it offers a powerful narrative of inclusivity and acceptance. May this living testament to love and unity inspire all who encounter it to reimagine and redefine the Joy of family.
While the design, gardens, and sculptures of Vandeventer Park were graciously bestowed upon me with the support of city planners and engineers, one of my fellow collaborating artists was given the opportunity to craft a brilliant and expansive Edible Community Garden, aimed at nourishing our neighbors. This property will include a modest building for hosting art and gardening classes, facilitated by a local nonprofit. I am humbled to have been invited to contribute to this ingenious and innovative community cornerstone.
My contribution takes the form of a meticulously crafted copper Rain Sculpture, designed to produce enchanting melodies as rainwater flows through its intricate network of pipes. This sculpture serves as a tribute to the abundance brought by rain to our garden. With uniquely shaped curves, drops, and handcrafted rain chains adorned with glass beads, the sculpture is tailored to create harmonious music while efficiently directing water where it's most beneficial for the garden. Copper was my material of choice due to its ability to evolve in color and texture, mirroring the transformations in nature and within ourselves. Standing at 5 feet tall atop a cement riser, the sculpture will be visible even amidst the garden's lush bloom.