The design of this two-part gateway sculpture was inspired by the monarch butterfly, a meaningful symbol suggested through the community process undertaken by the artists. The goal of the artwork is to welcome neighbors into the small community park, which also contains a mural, a playground, and a community garden.
The monarch is common to many countries and regions. They are unbiased creatures, symbols of rebirth, the future, and spiritual transformation. According to some sources monarchs ... view more »
The design of this two-part gateway sculpture was inspired by the monarch butterfly, a meaningful symbol suggested through the community process undertaken by the artists. The goal of the artwork is to welcome neighbors into the small community park, which also contains a mural, a playground, and a community garden.
The monarch is common to many countries and regions. They are unbiased creatures, symbols of rebirth, the future, and spiritual transformation. According to some sources monarchs are signs sent by the ancestors or divine beings, and seeing a monarch is a confirmation that you are on the right path to achieve your goals. Because of the timing of the annual late October/early November migration of monarchs to their forest homeland in Mexico, indigenous people of the region believe that monarchs are the souls of their ancestors coming to visit: this belief informs the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration on November 1-2.
The sculpture was designed and fabricated by the Latinas Welding Guild, a Near Eastside-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers welding training and job placement for marginalized groups and partners with local community organizations on artistic and functional welding projects. They are dedicated to the advancement of women in a field that has traditionally been less accessible to them. By experiencing a safe space to learn skills and the language support needed to thrive, students are empowered to take control of their careers as they enter the industry.
This installation is part of Indy Art & Seek, a project by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful to pair artists and communities to create site-specific art that encourages neighborhood residents to see their surroundings in new ways.
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