Where to find Stories of Home pieces

Stories of Home sculptures at North Star High School
(photograph courtesy of Kate Brooke).

March 4, 2007
The concluding celebration for Stories of Home took place at North Star High School on the evening of Saturday, March 3rd, culminating with an auction of the sculptures. During the evening visitors were treated to performances of a play, "Faith, Hope and Love," and to performances by Lincoln North Star's Jazz Band and Lincoln North Star's Choreographed Choir. Following the auction, the artists prepared the sculptures to be moved to their new homes.

Copies of the "Stories of Home Documentary" may be purchased from the Lincoln Arts Council for $15 (add $5 for shipping and handling). Visit the Lincoln Arts Council at 920 'O' Street, (402) 434-2787, or contact them at info@artscene.org

Applegate / Abdalla:
This sculpture accidentally was broken and no longer is on exhibit.
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Brooke / Al-Baaj:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Cal / Yankton:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Gawel / Sanchez:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Gradwohl / Shanks:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Hillestad / Kapetanovic:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Martincic / Baier Quenzer:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Videp Clip

Mitzlaff Koenen / Peregrine:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Platte / Stevens:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Roots / Hallam:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Schwieger / Nguyen:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Schmitz / Harrison:
North Star High School
Statement
Journal Star Article
Video Clip

Installation day at North Star High School: many volunteers at work
(photographs courtesy of Kate Brooke).

For more information on the Lincoln Arts Council's Stories Of Home Public Art Project, please visit the Lincoln Arts Council's website or the Lincoln Journal Star's feature, "Introducing: Stories Of Home".

Please share with us your responses to the Stories of Home pieces you have visited. Which of the twelve Stories of Home pieces have you seen? Did the work encourage you to think differently or in more complex ways about home and family? Which Stories of Home events have you attended? Did you meet a Stories of Home family or artist?

Below are excerpts from the guest book journals that accompany each Stories of Home sculpture. The Lincoln Arts Council invites you to add your own comment by clicking on "Leave a Comment" at the bottom of this section.

All:
"The collective input of the whole project is wonderful. These pieces tell rich stories about the people of Lincoln, and our city's connection to the rest of the world."

Schmidt / Harrison
"I love the idea of the life story we each carry in our own travels, captured by the trunk and all those telling objects from Anne's past."

Koenen / Perigrine
"Between the two of you, you've created a beautiful homage to the complexity of our interior selves . . .."

"The longer you look at the piece, the more Jan's story comes to life."

"Beautiful and eclectic!"

"This is very interesting because it represents a life full of success and hard work."

"I enjoyed having this piece of art at my house. The more I looked, the more I saw. I did like looking at everything to understand the story of Jan's life."

"I thought the piece was very interesting and enjoyed looking at all the small details. It was fun to find different things each time I looked at it."

Platte / Stevens
"The imagery and astute attention to the details of the life and experiences of Susan Stevens are very moving! My thanks to the artist!"

"Our soldier came home last month!"

"The rock feels like a weight in my heart – tied to the lighter elements of life, it creates a tugging. Thank you."

"My son was deployed. This piece captured my feelings in a special way."

Martincic / Baier- Quenzel
"What a piece of art – beauty, feeling, meaning, warmth!"

"Our footprints tell the story, our feet are the story!"

Cal / Yankton
"I am left with a feeling of spirit."

Gawel / Sanchez
"For me, Larry Gawel's sculpture is one that reveals its secrets over a period of time. He seems to have touched the heart of this remarkable family . . .."

". . . An important lesson of what is of real and lasting value."

Roots / Hallam
"Having the audio on this exhibit really enhanced the enjoyment and brought the harsh reality of Mother Nature alive."

"This really amazing sound, especially at night, one can feel the fear."

Gradwohl / Shanks
"Thank you for sharing your story and artwork. It has been a pleasure getting to know you."

"We are so honored that we got to be a part of this project. Thank you for sharing your story . . .."

"Thank you for sharing the story of your life with the Lincoln community. Only after we hear the struggle of yesterday can we move forward."

"Visiting the piece again is like seeing an old friend."

"Yours is a wonderful story, needing to be told. Thank you."

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

"This is a very important story that many generations need to hear."

"Thank you for not giving up when the rest of us chose to turn our heads – or worse."

Brooke / Al-Baaj
"What a unique exposure to a different world! Congratulations to all involved!'

"We were very touched by this exhibit that describes Zainab's life . . . hardships, ability to survive and her perpetual faith in human goodness . . .."

"Your story should inspire all."

"Thank you for sharing part of your life story. We are thankful for your life and all the you're doing here in Lincoln at the Good Neighbor Center. May God continue to bless you and your family."

"This is wonderful. What a depiction of your journey and loss and new life."

"How beautiful! Beautiful life, beautiful fate, beautiful woman! And – a marvelous integration of touch, sight, and words. Thanks!"

"The miscarriage story kills me. Very moving."

"This project piece is powerful. It reminds me that ‘journey' continues throughout life, ever a changing landscape whether an interior, of the spirit journey or an exterior of the feet journey. Bonjour journeé, the French say to each other even if leaving each other for a few minutes or years."

Thank you so much for reminding us of the human dimension of war."

"We were enchanted with your story . . . [i]t became more of a part of our lives when we hosted the piece in my home . . . [w]e treasured the interaction, communication and experience that it brought to us."

"Beautifully executed in a totally unexpected way."

Hillestad / Kapetanovic
"Your representation of Maida and Nerman Kapetanovic's lives and struggles is inspiring. I can feel Maida's strength coming from the garment. The beauty of Maida jumps out at me. Maida is a woman of beauty and strength. Her persevering spirit is something I will always admire."

"We are richer for having you in our community."

"Maida's story and Robert's creativity made this a fascinating experience."

"I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this beautiful sculpture with us. You have brought back memories of my beautiful country Bosnia and Herzgovina, but also you made me realize how fortunate I am to live in a community with people like you. As a Bosnian refugee, I am touched by your work and the story behind it.

Robert – a word of thanks to you for your willingness to learn about our country – Bosnia and Herzegovina. I really appreciate it!"

"Beautiful piece! The story of Maida and how the piece was created touched my heart."

"So many images come to mind – visiting Bosnia in 1996 and being stupefied by the bullent and mortar ridden buildings – images that fill your beautiful and revealing work. The personal spirit that glows under the broad shouldered piece is a tribute to the lasting hope of those who survived the war. The tinkling sounds that accompany the piece bring to mind the wings of angels and the broken glass – all elements a tribute to the undying human spirit."

"Dear Maida – we thrill to see your beauty and dignity before us we pray for your future and for your remarkable family."

"What a beautiful garment! It's magic. It stands as a strong and glorious testament to Maida's life and spirit."

A visitor at el Centro de las Américas explores an interactive Stories of Home piece about Zainab Al-Baaj's exodus from Iraq (photograph courtesy of Lisa M. Davis-Kovarik)

We invite you to sign the Stories of Home blog Guest Book. Click on "Leave a Comment" and type in your name, as well as a comment if you wish to write one. You also are invited to tell your own stories of home on this site.

North Star High School students and staff created a sculpture made of cds and permanent markers, representing the stories of more than 1,800 different people. The cds are suspended from the ceiling of the school's entryway where they gently turn and sway in the air currents, catching the light and producing colorful reflections in the area where the Stories of Home sculptures are on exhibit. (Photograph courtesy of Kate Brooke.)

Where did your family come from? What is your home life like? How did your family come to reside in Lincoln? Please share with us your own Story of Home. Click "leave a comment" or write to: sohblog@artscene.org

A few excerpted stories from the Guest Book Journals that accompany the Stories of Home sculptures:

“My grandmother came to Nebraska in a covered wagon. She was born along the way and her mother died in child birth and she was left in Iowa and after they established the homestead Grandfather went back for her.”

“My Grandfather was a sailor on the tall sailing ships. He served in the Italian Navy. He immigrated through Ellis Island, and served in the U.S. Army at the end of WWI. He was born on Christmas Day.”

“My husband and I came to USA a couple of days after the big earthquake that happened in Istanbul in 1999. We both remember spending two nights on the street, since everyone was so scared to go back to their apartments. We passed by apartment buildings which were completely collapsed. Some of these buildings were only a couple of blocks away from our own. After this big tragedy, we came to USA to start our Ph.D. studies."

“Everyone has a story, and this piece triggers the stories in all our pasts. My great-grandfather came to Nebraska to train Clydesdale horses to work the farms of Nebraska. Many thanks.”

Click on these links to read some of the entries to the Stories of Home "Tell Us Your Stories" contest:

Contest winner:
Anne's Story

Arnold's Story
Bob's Story
Brian's Story
Endorf Family's Story
Jack's Story
Mary's Story
Ramona's Story
Valerie's Story
Zelma's Story