Originally commissioned to create a sculpture for the lobby of Renaissance Theaterwork during the production of Athol Fugard’s Road to Mecca, I found passion in the life and spirit of Helen Martins, the main subject of the playwright. A true outsider artist, Martins was driven to make Art, make it in abundance, and make it lift her spirit. 

Rightfully so; this is what Art should do for all of us – trained, educated, learned or unlearned. I tapped into her passion and ran with it. 

Martins’ house (where the play is set) is known as the Owl House. She believed the owl to be her totem spirit and wanted to be protected by it. 

I partnered with members of the greater Milwaukee community, girls from Pearl’s Girls, a Girl Scout troop, and young women from the Sojourner Truth House to create approximately 800 owl forms. 

We made so many because, like the generous spirit of Martin and so many outsider and non-artists, we wanted to give – to share – the happiness and importance of Art. Everyone who came to the Renaissance Theaterwork production was able to take an owl home. 

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