“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Walt Disney (found at Brainy Quote)
Inept. That is the most accurate word that describes how I am feeling as I am trying to present this unique art display that is currently happening in Lincoln, Nebraska. This is not the first time that a community wide art project has taken place in our Capital City. Yet I think that the theme and the concept this time is SO powerful that capturing the essence of what the Doorways to Hope is all about is a bit daunting. This joint public art project between the The Lincoln-Lancaster County Habitat of Humanity and the Lincoln Hildegard Center for the Arts has artwork displayed all around town.
To my faraway reader friends, I want to convey the power of these sculptures, so that you feel like you are experiencing them in person. For my nearby Nebraska friends, I want you to feel so inspired after learning about this display that you feel compelled to go and check all of the “Doorways to Hope” out in person. Above all, I want you to learn more.
This is what I decided to do. I am going to present pictures of the 5 (out of 21) doors that we have visited so far. Once we have completed our tour, I will do an additional post featuring the pictures of ALL of the doors. I will also prepare a document that you can click on that will explain our impressions of each of the doors. I think this will be especially great for my out-of-town readers who cannot make it to see the doors in person.
So far we have been to the four library locations and to the one at the International Quilt Study Center. Each artist collaborated with different members of the community. The latter one was created by Julia Noyes of the Noyes Art Gallery. The door is entitled “The Monarch, The Metamorphosis.”
Eisley Library features the youngest participants in their creation, “Helping Hands.” This is the one that featured the puzzle pieces, demonstrating that we all need to work together and fulfill our part!
Using a car door as inspiration, the piece “A View from the Outside In and Inside Out” is so creative and might possibility have the most interesting story. Linda Thomas created this with help from her son, Mark, colloborated with the St. Marks United Methodist Church Transportation for Humanity. The symbolism and meaning of this artwork are compelling!
My longtime friend, Tamara Kaye, led group of students to create the doors at the other two libraries. She owns Art Planet in Lincoln – a wonderful place for students of all ages to learn to create.
At the downtown Bennett Martin library, the piece is entitled “To Hope.” Behind every closed door is the word “hope” in various languages. My daughter was really excited when she found the “English” door. Hope just happens to be her middle name!
Located in the middle of Lincoln, Gere Library is hosting Tamara Kaye’s other “Doorway to Hope.” The symbolism behind “Window of Opportunity” makes this door incredibly memorable. This is one that you need to examine with a close-up eye to catch all of the meaning that the artists are conveying.
As you can tell, these doors inspire stories of their own. Which door is your favorite so far? Have you personally been to any of the “Doorways to Hope” in Lincoln yet? You can download the map and begin your own adventure today! If you want to know more, please read this excellent article by Erin Andersen, “Opening, Doors, Opening Hearts,” found in the Lincoln Journal Star.
[…] the way that I look at art and at community. While I did a short series on the doors near the end of June, I felt strongly that I needed to feature these collaborative projects one more time for two […]
[…] that I am a big fan of community public art displays. Last year, my kids and I visited all of the Doorways to Hope project – 21 symbols of hope across the Capital City. This year Lincoln is displaying a new symbol […]