Our newest collaboration with Holly Young revealed this weekend at the Sherburne Wildlife Refuge!
This incredible space is the brainchild of the Friends of Sherburne who raised funds and really led the way in creating an ampitheater for education and sharing at this serene and beautiful space near Zimmerman Minnesota. Going beyond Land Acknowledgements, this group led by Bear Paw Shields, brought together Heart Berry and Holly Young to collaborate on a GIANT sandblast for their space.
Gathering the animals we hope for and see in this beautiful space, Heart Berry's Giizh created this massive piece with the Bison, Bear, Eagle, Crane, Turtle, and Deer. This style of "x-ray" animals is a woodlands specific style. Each animal is carrying it's own lightning bolt as "thunders are a gift in our way of thinking" celebrating the gifts these animals bring and their life force. A line connects the whole to show how we are ALL connected.
Centered in the space is four traditional asemaa (tobacco) pods oriented to the four directions. "We use asemaa for prayer. We imagine this space being used and played on. We loved the idea of kids jumping from animal to animal and running around on it. We hope folks use this center as a compass but also think about what they send out with their thoughts and intentions." Giizh shares.
The space is wrapped in an eloquent Dakota floral by the amazing Holly Young. We have worked with Holly on an installation at St Cloud State University and Springboard for the Arts! You will recognize plants across the refuge in this hoop. Want to learn more about Holly?
The seating area is hosting paw and foot prints of the animals alongside their Dakota and Ojibwe names. "As a learning space we love the idea of folks deciphering which animal name is which with its corresponding footprint. The use of our languages here is purposeful. As the first languages of this place it is so powerful to see and hear these words spoken here." Giizh
Learn more about the Friends of the Refuge. Are you interested in custom art? Email us info@heartberry.com
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