The Circle Conversation

Our society is in crisis, a mental health crisis.  Depression, addiction, and suicide rates are at an all-time high, and our children are suffering.  Today’s generation of young people face challenges that are unprecedented, and they have no roadmap for how to navigate them. The impact these challenges are having on their mental health, and society at large, are devastating.

There is hope. Organizations and institutions across the country are stepping up to do their part by bringing awareness and creating opportunities for conversation around this urgent and pressing issue.  It is through this concerted effort that transformation becomes attainable. We have the power to effect change in our world,  We transform the world by transforming ourselves.

The Circle Conversation is a contemporary sculpture intended for public spaces, that promotes awareness and dialogue surrounding  mental health.

I use the art I make to elevate us to be better human beings. I am pushing beyond my usual practice with this ambitious sculpture project which began as a memorial to my late son and has evolved into a pursuit to honor everyone who has navigated schizophrenia, suicide, depression, addiction, PTSD and other brain chemistry challenges, either themselves or with the ones they love.

An important component to the project will be a wayfinding stanchion/post that one can access near the sculpture, incorporating technology that will lead to self awareness prompts, other tools and resources for kids & adults that help relieve stress, anxiety and potentially save a life. I also plan to have a couple ideas written on the stanchion as well for non-phone carriers,  a land acknowledgement and logo(s) of those who sponsor the installation(s).  These tools and prompts will be altered depending on community needs and will be changed over time  for variety.

The sculpture blends science, art & technology that is intended for:

City & State Art Commissions

Health Institutions

University & College Campuses

Developers

The Private Sector 

The Design: 

 3;  8’ diameter circles rest upon the ground, conveying cyclic movement.  I selected a circle because it embodies transformation. -Energy cannot be created nor destroyed, only transformed.

The Material:

Although the sculpture is minimalist & contemporary the material, foundry bronze dates back to ancient Greece and works well with the environment. It is durable and enforces the idea of alchemy [ transformation of matter] which is a combination of tin alloy and copper, further supporting the concept of the sculpture.

So why three you may ask? A triad that symbolizes Mind, Body & Spirit.  Art is a spirit that helps elevate us to be Better Human Beings, and that's as vital as it gets. 

Experience:

With a background in architecture & design, my knowledge & project management skills will be beneficial in collaborating with project teams, art administrators & landscape architects for my inaugural installation.

Traction and milestones to date:  

• A career advancement grant from CCI that helped me realize 6 renderings and a 3D animation.
• Foundry Bronze Maquettes - 6 versions
• Wayfinding stanchion design
• 2 Website domains
• Meeting with Vail Health
• 1 Million Cups Presentation
• Round 2 jury selection, Denver Public Art for the Sand Creek Trail, Behavioral Health Solutions Center
• Voice over on 3D animation
• Documentary  Short “Walking in Paint” started by W.W. Webb
• Swansea Recreation Center Public Art RFP submitted
• Meeting Auburn University Campus Planning/Space Management
• Visibility Coaching
• Colorado Small Business Center Development Training
• Invited to be an early access community member of NueroArts Blueprint Initiative by John Hopkins University
•  LOI VIA Art Fund Artistic Production 
• RFQ  University of Northern Colorado, College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Proposal submitted Triple Creek Trailhead, Aurora CO 

MY ASKS:

Feedback - Viewpoints, Connections & Ideas and of course, your story.