COMMUNITY GROVE
Intertribal Community Park
Billings First Church, Billings, Montana
2020
During installation
Four mixed-media sculptures – Peace, Comfort, Rest and Ease – form the Community Grove within the newly names Intertribal Community Park, located at Billings First Church in Billings, Montana. I designed this as an embracement, a protective space, much like the thickets that grow along the river, that form spaces for seeds to collect, for small animals and insects to build nests. A place for listening,, healing, justice, joy and an awakening to a world where we share our experiences and commonalities and develop a curiosity and respect for our differences.
The park is important to our urban communities, including our the indigenous members and is, itself, embraced by the church, its congregation and the many organizations housed within, which provide acceptance, generosity and nurturance. We focused on biodiversity and the healing potential of the native plants we placed in the gardens. Electrical outlets and public WiFi and the benches and tables and trees to come in our next development phase add to this grove, this park, as a place for us to where individuals may be woven into the community's collective whole.
Thank you to Thom McLean and Big Sky Economic Development Agency for applying for and securing a grant from Montana AARP to support creation and installation of the sculptures and purchasing of native plants for the gardens.
The park is important to our urban communities, including our the indigenous members and is, itself, embraced by the church, its congregation and the many organizations housed within, which provide acceptance, generosity and nurturance. We focused on biodiversity and the healing potential of the native plants we placed in the gardens. Electrical outlets and public WiFi and the benches and tables and trees to come in our next development phase add to this grove, this park, as a place for us to where individuals may be woven into the community's collective whole.
Thank you to Thom McLean and Big Sky Economic Development Agency for applying for and securing a grant from Montana AARP to support creation and installation of the sculptures and purchasing of native plants for the gardens.
Intertribal Community Park Dedication, Celebration & Public Art Installation
(Dedication ceremony starts at 2:45)
A dedication and celebration held at Billings First Congregational Church on Indigenous People's Day to commemorate the naming of the church’s park, Intertribal Community Park, as well as to celebrate the installation of 4 public art pieces, created and curated by local artist Sherri Cornett, in the community space. The program was opened by Nell Game Counter Eby. Josiah Hugs performed a smudge ceremony and prayer song. Remarks by Rev. Dr. Marc Stewart and Nate Moyer shared the rejection of the Doctrine of Discovery, an apology and request for forgiveness and a path forward that heals us of this history. Pastor Lisa Harmon thanked all the Indigenous brothers and sisters who have brought healing to the church and campus and recognized Dr. Ron Burnam's vision for this being a place of radical hospitality. Sherri Cornett spoke of the inspiration for her Community Grove - an installation of the four sculptures “Peace”, “Ease”, “Rest”, and “Comfort” - as a place for listening, healing, justice, joy and an awakening to a world where we can share our experiences and commonalities.
For full program and remarks, download:
A dedication and celebration held at Billings First Congregational Church on Indigenous People's Day to commemorate the naming of the church’s park, Intertribal Community Park, as well as to celebrate the installation of 4 public art pieces, created and curated by local artist Sherri Cornett, in the community space. The program was opened by Nell Game Counter Eby. Josiah Hugs performed a smudge ceremony and prayer song. Remarks by Rev. Dr. Marc Stewart and Nate Moyer shared the rejection of the Doctrine of Discovery, an apology and request for forgiveness and a path forward that heals us of this history. Pastor Lisa Harmon thanked all the Indigenous brothers and sisters who have brought healing to the church and campus and recognized Dr. Ron Burnam's vision for this being a place of radical hospitality. Sherri Cornett spoke of the inspiration for her Community Grove - an installation of the four sculptures “Peace”, “Ease”, “Rest”, and “Comfort” - as a place for listening, healing, justice, joy and an awakening to a world where we can share our experiences and commonalities.
For full program and remarks, download:
| intertribal_community_park_dedication_program.docx |
Gratitude
Lisa shared her gratitude for the indigenous sisters and brothers who through their friendship, leadership, and presence, have brought healing to the church and campus: Nell Eby, Reno Charette, Phillene Whiteman, Cora Chandler, Josiah Hugs, Dyani Bingham, Lita Pepicon, Kandi White, Kassie Runs Above, Walter Runs Above, Marilyn Gone, Marci McLean Pollock, Angie McLean Pollock, Chebon Kernell, David Blaine, Rhonda Whiteman, Charlene Sleeper, Alicia Little Wolf, Kinsley Walks Along, Debora Old Elk, Darlene Wooden Legs, Leonard Smith, Zhona Tang, Crystal LaPlant, Kathy Littleleaf, C'yenna, Sadie, Jodiah, Nyta, Neveah, Jaxon, Sadie Blue and so many others.
She acknowledged the partners on the path of reconciliation who are on the church campus: White Eagle Intertribal Circle, BUIHVVC, NADC, Billings Urban Indian Dancers, Elk River Intertribal Center, Native American Achievement Center at MSUB, Native American Coalition, Western Native Voice, Montana Native Voice, New Day Ranch, RMTLC and MMIP initiatives.
She thanked those who lovingly cared for the land and helped create this space: Josiah Hugs & White Eagle Talking Circle volunteers, Emily Powell and her daughters Ziona and Marley, Martina Manyguns, Grace Katolas, Charlene Sleeper, Nell Eby,
Downtown Billings Alliance, Downtown Billings Improvement District, Joe Stout, James Chandler, Adam Roebling, Peaks to Plains Design, Kyle and Transition Landscaping, Brian Eply and Superior Concrete, Greg Krueger, Billings First Congregational Church and Church Council, Dr. Ronald Burnam, Donna Forbes, Tom Howard, Rev. Mike Mulberry, Kari Boiter, Amanda Boyer and family, Cara Gunhild and her daughters Ellie and Leila, Morgan Satterfield, Greg Anderson and Sarge.
In addition to those above, Sherri thanks Thom McLean and Big Sky Economic Development Agency for believing in this project and finding funding, to Montana AARP for that funding, to the gardeners who broke through the hard-packed clay to find homes for the beautiful plants: Grace Kotalas, Charlene Sleeper, Cara Gunhild and her daughters Ellie and Leila, Nell Eby, Amanda Boyer and her family, and Greg Krueger. And to the DBA's Purple People, Joe Stout James Chandler and Adam Roebling who saved our back by arriving with heavy machinery, to Charlene Sleeper and Marci McLean Pollock for their gentle advice, to Brian Eply for being a generous and enthusiastic partner in concrete and to all those who joined us for this dedication
Lisa shared her gratitude for the indigenous sisters and brothers who through their friendship, leadership, and presence, have brought healing to the church and campus: Nell Eby, Reno Charette, Phillene Whiteman, Cora Chandler, Josiah Hugs, Dyani Bingham, Lita Pepicon, Kandi White, Kassie Runs Above, Walter Runs Above, Marilyn Gone, Marci McLean Pollock, Angie McLean Pollock, Chebon Kernell, David Blaine, Rhonda Whiteman, Charlene Sleeper, Alicia Little Wolf, Kinsley Walks Along, Debora Old Elk, Darlene Wooden Legs, Leonard Smith, Zhona Tang, Crystal LaPlant, Kathy Littleleaf, C'yenna, Sadie, Jodiah, Nyta, Neveah, Jaxon, Sadie Blue and so many others.
She acknowledged the partners on the path of reconciliation who are on the church campus: White Eagle Intertribal Circle, BUIHVVC, NADC, Billings Urban Indian Dancers, Elk River Intertribal Center, Native American Achievement Center at MSUB, Native American Coalition, Western Native Voice, Montana Native Voice, New Day Ranch, RMTLC and MMIP initiatives.
She thanked those who lovingly cared for the land and helped create this space: Josiah Hugs & White Eagle Talking Circle volunteers, Emily Powell and her daughters Ziona and Marley, Martina Manyguns, Grace Katolas, Charlene Sleeper, Nell Eby,
Downtown Billings Alliance, Downtown Billings Improvement District, Joe Stout, James Chandler, Adam Roebling, Peaks to Plains Design, Kyle and Transition Landscaping, Brian Eply and Superior Concrete, Greg Krueger, Billings First Congregational Church and Church Council, Dr. Ronald Burnam, Donna Forbes, Tom Howard, Rev. Mike Mulberry, Kari Boiter, Amanda Boyer and family, Cara Gunhild and her daughters Ellie and Leila, Morgan Satterfield, Greg Anderson and Sarge.
In addition to those above, Sherri thanks Thom McLean and Big Sky Economic Development Agency for believing in this project and finding funding, to Montana AARP for that funding, to the gardeners who broke through the hard-packed clay to find homes for the beautiful plants: Grace Kotalas, Charlene Sleeper, Cara Gunhild and her daughters Ellie and Leila, Nell Eby, Amanda Boyer and her family, and Greg Krueger. And to the DBA's Purple People, Joe Stout James Chandler and Adam Roebling who saved our back by arriving with heavy machinery, to Charlene Sleeper and Marci McLean Pollock for their gentle advice, to Brian Eply for being a generous and enthusiastic partner in concrete and to all those who joined us for this dedication
Installation
Peace
steel, copper, fabric, paint
2019
Peace was the first of the four Community Grove sculptures I completed. As part of the Back Alley Arts Festival in Billings, MT, I demonstrated my wire weaving techniques and invited visitors to draw or write their responses to the word "home" on painted canvas ovals, symbolic of partially-emerged river rocks, along which thickets grow..
Other participants included the Billings Public School's Quest Program's 4th, 5th and 6th graders, preschoolers from St. Luke's Enrichment Center and attendees at my discussion about community-engaged art at Kirk's Grocery.
The sculpture, river-ripple-painted cushion and river rock ovals were part of an installation in Toucan Gallery August/September 2019, where 355 ovals were added to the installation. I also installed it in for my Open Studio during the December 2019 Billings Art Walk.
steel, copper, fabric, paint
2019
Peace was the first of the four Community Grove sculptures I completed. As part of the Back Alley Arts Festival in Billings, MT, I demonstrated my wire weaving techniques and invited visitors to draw or write their responses to the word "home" on painted canvas ovals, symbolic of partially-emerged river rocks, along which thickets grow..
Other participants included the Billings Public School's Quest Program's 4th, 5th and 6th graders, preschoolers from St. Luke's Enrichment Center and attendees at my discussion about community-engaged art at Kirk's Grocery.
The sculpture, river-ripple-painted cushion and river rock ovals were part of an installation in Toucan Gallery August/September 2019, where 355 ovals were added to the installation. I also installed it in for my Open Studio during the December 2019 Billings Art Walk.
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Details of sculpture and community thoughts on home
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Participation
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