Our Project
Beauty Amid Destruction is an art installation in the track of the massive tornado that carved a nearly 7- mile deadly path through Tuscaloosa, Alabama in April 2011.
The shocking, horrifying, and depressing landscape left by the tornado has taken its toll on the human spirit. The purpose of this project is to counter the visual impact of the ravaged landscape.
We set about to bring to our community gifts of love in the form of beauty amid the destruction. Color, signs of life and renewal, and glimpses of pleasure and joy are now on display in these areas to help raise the spirits of the community as it continues to clean up and rebuild.
The art installation consists of over thirty 4ft x 6ft art banners displayed outdoors throughout the tornado track. Each art banner features an image of an original artwork. The artworks are of a wide variety of mediums (textile, metalwork, painting, photography, paperwork) and were created by artists from around the country. These compassionate artists donated digital images of their artwork and the funds to print these large banners. Banners were strategically placed on major thoroughfares in the tornado damaged areas to provide the most viewing opportunities.
Our hope is that the people involved in the important job of rebuilding lives will be delighted by the surprise of these art banners that are intended to offer encouragement as they go through difficult days.
We have witnessed the power of art and believe its unique strengths lie in its simplicity to bring pleasure, comfort, and inspiration. We believe this is an important ingredient in the recovery from a disastrous event: the revitalization of the human spirit.
To see the art banners and participating artists, click here.
To see the art banners on display, click here.
I give a huge thank you to the following, whose generosity and compassion helped make this project possible:
The advisory committee for providing guidance when all we knew is that we wanted to utilize art to help with the recovery from this horrific event.
The artists for providing such uplifting artwork and donating the funds to print the banners.
The friends who made financial contributions to help get this project off the ground.
Crossroads Art Alliance and our neighboring Town of Gordo for being our fiscal sponsor.
Andrea Mabry for developing and maintaining the Beauty Amid Destruction website.
Jan Pruitt and Barbara Lee Black for helping design our logo.
Barbara Lee Black for laying out the banners.
SignPro for providing excellent print quality at a discount price.
Nucor Steel for donating the most perfect posts.
The residents and businesses displaying these art banners on their property for the benefit of the community.
BAD=Good!
Jean Mills, Project Coordinator
jeanmills [at] beautyamiddestruction [dot] org