Three weeks
remain in the New Vision Heron Mural project’s fundraiser on the USA Projects
micro-philanthropy website. It’s a
process of ebb and flow, sometimes up to a week passes with no donations, and
then a flurry of activity as updates and various appeals register.
As of this
writing, we have nearly $2,500 in donations and are over 40% funded! I love these numbers and, believe me, when
notices of new contributions come through it is THRILLING! While not precisely at the halfway level of
funding, we are within striking distance; and with half the time left to raise
the funds I remain confident!
$5,800 must
be raised by midnight, July 31st.
Crowd funding and micro-philanthropy both work on the same “all or
nothing” model where all funds need to be raised for the artist to receive any
of the monies. Your contributions are
all extremely important to the success of this project!
Thank you so
much to those of you who have already followed through on your desire to
give! I also want to thank those of you
who have made the commitment in your heart to give and have contacted me with
your pledge! The finish line is in sight
and your donations are absolutely necessary to meet this project’s goals!
I spoke with
Max Verbits, an old friend and arts proponent in Salisbury, MD a short time
ago. He spoke of the city needing
“Gateway Markers” and how this project spoke directly to that need, identifying
the downtown area.
Max also
pointed out the significance of waterfowl (and so public waterfowl imagery) to
the entire area. Waterfowl symbolize the
area culturally, historically and environmentally; and the mural’s location in
Salisbury, MD, is PERFECT! Salisbury is
perched in the middle of the Atlantic Flyway—the main North-South thoroughfare
for migrating birds, east of the Mississippi River!
And finally
on a personal note, this week my father has died. After 13 years of Alzheimer’s disease he
departed this life…it has brought home the feelings and image of the original
heron mural in ways that I had forgotten.
To be revisiting this image at this time is amazing and heart rending as
that first mural was created in the wake of my first wife’s death (breast
cancer).
As I have
been regarding the heron mural, I do not see a symbol of death but an image of
spirit: bold, poised for departure; I
also see it depicting those who are Strong but tested, and standing ready. These are fine associations for a public work
and for this town on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
If you have
not already joined this project with a contribution, please visit the project
page and consider becoming part of this New Vision.
http://www.usaprojects.org/project/new_vision_heron_mural
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