Starting this weekend, the American Cancer Society will be celebrating the opening of a new Hope House for people being treated for cancer here in St. Louis. The new Hope House will have 42 suites and to raise awareness of this endeavor, artists have decorated 42 doors in honor of cancer patients and survivors and their families. These doors will be displayed in various places throughout the region.
Just like the St. Louis cakes and the Seaman dogs, I will be making the journey to capture as many of these doors as I can. However, unlike the previous two projects, this one will be personal. Many people in my life have succumbed to cancer, including my father. I'm dedicating my journey to them.
Now, I wish to change the direction of this blog. Let's talk about the broader purpose of community art projects and, more specifically, how we can better represent all the great things about our own North County region. Our area is rich in history and diversity. And since we are all still sheltering in place, we have time to think about this and toss around ideas.
Bridgeton, Hazelwood and Florissant were started in the late 18th century as frontier outposts. Ferguson was a train stop in the mid-1800's. Most of the area we call home now really didn't come into existence until the 20th century.
While town incorporation anniversary dates vary, it is hard to pick a specific date as an anniversary. However, we can still pick a milestone of some sort. Or a theme. Here are a few ideas:
- St. Charles Rock Road - the first highway that led settlers from St. Louis to St. Charles. Picture wagon trains, horses, cattle, wagon wheels, pioneers.
- Farming communities - North County was largely agrarian until World War II. Woodson Road was a dirt road for a long time. Picture plows, cabins, horses, cattle.
- Aviation - Lambert started out as a race track, then a balloon launch field, then grew into a major airport hub. Remember when McDonnell Douglas was a major employer here? You couldn't turn a corner without bumping into a Mac employee. Picture bi-planes and jets.
- Since St. Louis was a major jumping off point for people heading west, and we were a major transportation hub, how about a compass?
- We need to celebrate our diversity. Flags representing our heritage and where we all come from. Or incorporate it in with the compass idea.
Let's all reach out to one another and our community leaders and see what we can do. An art project such as what we have seen could bring us together as a community and dispel the myth that permeates our area as a thugs and drugs district. We have a lot of creative minds. I believe we can do this.
Hope to hear your ideas soon!
