Underwriting support from:
Finding Strength through Art
Every year Art Prize, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, brings thousands of visitors to observe the beauty and creativity revealed through art. This past Sunday, many made the trip downtown with their friends and families to the Grand River between Fulton and Pearl streets to observe the art, and other exhibits.
Stick-to-ive-ness: Unwavering Pertinacity; Perseverance, created by Richard Morse, has become one of the favorites. Recently voted in the top ten artists, Richard Morse shared not only his talent, but also an amazing story.
Gazing into the ever-changing river waters below the blue bridge, are the dark wooden branches woven intricately into the shapes of horses.
Some say that as they stood admiring the piece, they feel the horse’s determination flow through their veins. Eyes from all over the world fix upon the power revealed through the horses’ courageous body language as they galloped through the waters. The visual representation of the horses running even through the mighty river’s current, give the visitors a source of strength. The piece reminds them of their own battle with life’s unpredictable current.
I asked one local tourist, “How does it make you feel?”
She looked at me and laughed a little, “Oh I don’t know,” she said carelessly. I waited for her to think a little longer and then she finally admitted, “I guess it makes me feel free.”
While everyone is different when it comes to his or her response to art, one thing is for sure: “From art comes peace.”
Examining the expressions of the other visitors lined up on the blue bridge, I noticed a sense of relief. Children held the hands of their parents excited to see the horses for the first time, and groups of friends filled the air with laughter.
Some looked as though they were going through a difficult time. One woman in particular arrived in her crinkled worn clothes and messy ponytail. As she stood gazing down from the bridge she whispered, “Thank-you.”
As I stood from afar and watched her expression I began to wonder what she could possibly be thankful for. Maybe she was thankful for the peace she was receiving, for her children, and for the reminder that she had the power to overcome her battles. Her two young children played together on the bridge as she took her time watching the river flow. Then just as quickly as she came, she called her children to her side and walked away.
Perhaps the most inspiring detail about Richard Morse the creator of “Stick-to-it-ive-ness” is the story behind it. Morse constructed his masterpiece in representation of his battle of stage four Cancer. His battle represents the power of the human will and provides a personal testimony that has encouraged thousands to stand strong in overcoming their own struggles.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.
Comments, like all content, are held to The Rapidian standards of civility and open identity as outlined in our Terms of Use and Values Statement. We reserve the right to remove any content that does not hold to these standards.