Hope takes flight in Herbert-Herman Cancer Center

Inspired by the poem "Hope is the thing with feathers," by Emily Dickinson my piece "Hope takes flight," was created through papercut illustration and community participation.

On survivor day, I was joined by cancer patients, families touched by cancer and cancer caregivers to paint their loved one's names or a bit of inspirational messaging. I took the precious notes back to my studio and sliced them into free-flying colorful birds that float through the piece on fishing line. 

This was such an incredible experience from start to finish! I am so thankful for all of the people who helped make it happen: Kelly Gmazel, Chris Tyler, Marsha Cosgrove, Sparrow Women's Board of Managers, Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Image360 - Plymouth MI and Marybeth Swan. 

For those interested in viewing this artwork eyeball to eyeball, it is now installed in it's permanent home outside of Conference Room A in Sparrow Hospital's new Herbert-Herman Cancer Center.