The Healing Wings Project began as a way to remember those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each wing is clay bisque that those in the community can paint. The wings are fired and then hung on a tree mural located within the community.
The Healing Wings Project began as a way to remember those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each wing is clay bisque that those in the community can paint. The wings are fired and then hung on a tree mural located within the community.
Can you tell us when and how this project started?
We had the dedication of the sculptures on August 28, 2021
What is the meaning behind the name “Healing Wings”?
The meaning of “Healing Wings” means different things to different people. When we were conceptualizing the project the wings were meant to symbolize losses to COVID. We described the project as “A creative remembrance to all that has been lost to COVID 19.”
What are wingmaking workshops and what do the wings represent?
When we began holding free workshops for the community in September of 2021, we were under the mistaken assumption that we were at the pandemic, Initially we scheduled community wide open workshops where members could paint bisqued wings (painted in Concept glazes by the way) that were fired by individuals and then hung on the sculpture which is in the courtyard of our gallery. With COVID restrictions the open workshops were poorly attended so instead we brought our supplies to community groups and organizations to hold smaller painting activities. We have also offered the same activities in the courtyard to families and small groups. In addition we had wings painting at community art events such as the Love of Art Studio Tours and Claypolloza.
We continue to schedule small group workshops through our website. Some people wanted to hang a wing but might not have the time to attend a workshop, so we also offer completed wings in the gallery adjacent to the sculpture that are available to hang. This has been a popular option.
The tile project will be added to the sculptures which will have a tile honoring individual donors that have contributed $200 or more. We will be having a tile installation dedication on August 26 which will mark the one year anniversary of the project. At that event we will
also have a hanging of the abandoned wings which are those wings that were painted but whose maker never returned to hang.
How can someone donate?
Donations can be made in person at the Agave Artists Gallery or online at www.pottersguildlc.org/donate. All donations are managed by the Potters Guild of Las Cruces which is a 501(c)3 organization. There is no cost for any of our programs due to the generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations. We were also a recipient of the Armstrong Grant in 2020 through the New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists(NMPCA).
