Virtual Gallery

Kay Kurt

Butterflies. Children call them flutterbys. Ever since 1968, candy has been my visual metaphor in my art. When it came to creating an appropriate painting for the First Witness project. my daughter-in-law presented me with a box of tiny one-inch colorful jujube butterflies ... the perfect answer to a subject choice. From ancient cultures to Asian and European people and to Native Americans. butterflies have a rich history as icons of spirituality, transformation. rebirth. hope and freedom to break free from restraints. In Ireland and Germany, butterflies have been believed to hold within them the souls of dead children. Furthering the symbolism of butterflies has been the attribution of meaning to their various colors. My painting is for the butterfly children of First Witness as they transform from the dark confining trauma of their own chrysalises to their freedom of flight. unfurling their wings of hope and new beginnings. Note: photo is of artist and other pieces, not from Restoring Hope Art Exhibit.

Sue Rauschenfels

As one of seven sisters. I enjoy painting female figures side by side, and often intertwined and overlapped. I create textural layers of color. varying shapes and bold marks. in groupings physically with complex landscapes and surrounded by storytelling imagery. This reflects the everyday world for women in general as we journey to create pathways and opportunities for women in all cultures for equal political. social and economic access. My love of nature. color. people and whimsy are often captured in my work. For added texture and interest. I often incorporate mixed media, making my own collage papers using paints. stamping blocks. cardboard and hand sketched drawings. I enjoy telling a story in my work which is often as I see things or dream of how things should be rather than the realistic narrative.

Asher Estrin-Haire

Full Front Quilt and Dyeworks

Rita Bergstedt

I've been captivated during my lifetime of the portrait of my Mother Bette, who was born in 1923 and the picture was taken in 1930. She was the 5th of 8 children and at the age of 7 lost her beloved mother. This beautiful picture of her needed to be surrounded by life; flowers. butterflies, and, most wonderfully a queen bee. Because encaustic painting is using pure melted beeswax, I created a mixed media piece that profiles both the beauty, hope and the sadness that permeated her entire life.

Barbara Besser

Art on Wings

Tani Hemmila

This work is part of series that draws from my own healing experience. with layers over time combining to create a new story. It explores tensions between fragility (represented by the translucency of the paint) and strength (the boldness of ink).

Teresa Cox Kolar

The creation of a painting begins with inspiration. My muse is found in the endless beauty of florals. botanicals and animals. I adore depicting whimsical. playful. representational creations that simultaneously excite and calm the viewer. My hope is that making your way through one of my paintings will be a feast for curious eyes. There are bountiful amounts of lines. dots. shapes- all nature based. My process involves several layers of painting and mark-making. The final stage is a glorious time spent adding bright brights. dark darks and many many unique details that spring from my mind and from my observations in the natural world.

Patty Salo Downs

Flowers always provide me with joy and give me hope. Especially perennials. because they have the ability to survive in harsh conditions and adapt to their surroundings. Each spring they push through a lot of dirt to grow and bloom.

Ryan Tischer

Sunset over the Grand Marais cobblestone beach along Lake Superior.

Candice Adamczak

As an intuitive artist I set intention for my work and attune each piece with that intention. There are many layers. With the first layer beginning with written words about keeping our children safe, free from harm. free to grow and live and thrive in a positive. supportive environment. Free to pursue every dream their soul calls them toward.

Kris Nelson

This child's chair represents all the missing children that have been killed by guns while attending school. Guns are now the number one cause of death for children in America. I first painted this chair as a memorial to the 20 first graders and 6 educators that were killed at Sandy Hook. On the seat I painted each child's name that died that day. On the back of the chair. I painted the killer's psychotic eyes and the 3 guns he used to kill his innocent victims. The teddy bear under the chair represents the 65,000 teddy bears that were donated to the town after the massacre. My hope is for a future where children are safe in schools. BOOKS NOT BULLETS!

Sarah Hallberg

Changing seasons. end of summer. leading to positive changes a time to reset.

Kim Buskala

Sticks and stones I've collected from the shores of Lake Superior. We are born artists. individuals. Somewhere down the path of life, I lost my way. My school years were enhanced because of art. junior high school and senior high school I took as many art classes as possible. As I grew into adulthood I got caught up in the have to do's and lost my direction for art. It wasn't until the loss of my mother and several others. consecutively, over five years that brought me back to where I needed to be. It started with a conscious movement class (I've got rhythm. dance my mo jo, music my muse). There, I met an art therapist who suggested making art to work through my grief. I started with crayons. moved on to pastels and recently have been moved to work with fiber. I also write poetry which I feel was another opportunity to reconnect with my mother after she had passed. I was open to receiving, the world filled me with wonderful solutions for dealing with my grief. The arts lead the way and I chose to follow.

Rosemary Guttormsson

"Finding Hope" depicts hope and a theme of darkness into light.

Esther Piszczek

Children are innocent beings whose growth and learning are ours to protect. This piece reflects the nature of children with its organic, whimsical patterning in white ink for their innocence and purity. The semi-transparent paper stands for the fragile bond between child and adult and how easily that bond of trust can be broken. The gold ink symbolizes the value of children to society at large, the value of protecting them. and the value of trusted relationships between children and the adults who protect and honor their innocence. The silver ink represents the child's soul. for each of us is an external being incarnated into form - precious. unique, and irreplaceable.

Leslie Hughes

Inspiration from the piece came from the designer. eisroughdraft. whose lineage included plantation workers (slaves) who used quilts as a means of artistic expression. Eisroughdraft makes journals using her handcrafted paper with book covers using her own fabric line. This quilt represents a journal cover that inside would contain expressions of the yearning for freedoms in every aspect of life.

Tani Hemmila

This work is part of series that draws from my own healing experience. with layers over time combining to create a new story. It explores tensions between fragility (represented by the translucency of the paint) and strength (the boldness of ink).

Kristen Anderson

In "Greening", I'm tapping into the idea of recovery from ecological disturbance as a metaphor for the human experience of overcoming difficult obstacles. Areas that have been subject to fire, flood, or other forms of clearing recover and waiting seeds and spores emerge ... as long as the essential elements for life are present to start the process. In this piece. I am depicting a sense of springing from dark circumstances and that even a small piece of light can bring life and hope to the idea of growing, adapting, and moving forward.

Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson

Stained Glass with turquoise slab agate

Patty Sampson

I think of healing when I see circles. They are symmetrical and smooth. The bright gold circles on the gray represent coming out of darkness. They are circles within circles on the jacket (the little stitched circles is a technique called pebbling) are meditative and calming to do.

Rebecca Hubbs

My mother will be 82 years old in November. Only bad weather or extreme heat keeps her out of her flower gardens. From sunup to sun down she's planting. replanting. relocating. redesigning and repurposing found objects to create a magical place. I love taking a tour each time I visit to see what's new! This piece represents my love for her and our shared time together riding around in the golf cart looking at the lilies!

Anita Gille

Honoring the journey of childhood trauma victims and their loved ones. Let their wisdom carry them.

Adam Swanson

Emily Aarsvold

Speaking out at a young age can be one of the greatest challenges. This work is a representation of how isolating it feels to be a child going through traumatic events. Children deal with many of the same challenges that adults do, both physical and mental. It can often be difficult to bring attention to their suffering, however. as they are still trying to figure out who they are as a human and how to communicate in general. This artwork reflects that emotion. Growing up in a family that rarely expressed their uglier feelings led me to bottle up many of my emotions and suffering, specifically traumatic events and undiagnosed mental illnesses. My mixed-media work uses illustrations that look like they came out of a children's book similar to Dick and Jane: bright colors. patterns. and certain imagery from childhood memories. Accompanying the larger images and patterns I have utilized quotes from some of my favorite children's stories that reflect some of these harder-hitting emotions as well. Quotes were taken from Where the Wild Things Are. The Little Prince, and The Bridge to Terabithia.

Rita Bergstedt

"Just Walkin' On Sunshine" shows 2 young girls walking through tall grasses and they appear to be walking through a field of sunflowers. I wanted to show the beauty of children enjoying nature without a seeming care. I took this photograph 35 years ago of my daughter and her friend, then several years ago was thrilled to witness vast MN sunflower fields in full glory. It took my breath away at that time. My melding the two photographs into molten beeswax created the magic.

Ivy Vainio

Nature will reclaim her space long after we' re gone.

Gruchalla Rosetti Pottery

Francis O'Connell

We have our pleasant memories of the past. but true growth is in our future.

Rosemary Guttormsson

"Louise" is in honor of a friend who overcame childhood trauma. The bright colors celebrate beauty and peace of recovery.

Rebecca Hubbs

This is a tribute to all of my family members that I have lost over the years. all of the family members who I love deeply, all of the people who have joined our family and who will join our wonderful family in the future. Nothing is more important than family.

Sue Rauschenfels

Whether by chance or by design we eventually return to a familiar place or way of life. Home is typically a place where we feel comfortable and valued and often a place where we began an important phase of life. Home may imply there is a physical dwelling involved, but the main pull is it's a gathering of people. Homes create an emotional connection and sense of belonging and yearning - we want to be there. we want to go back. Home for many is a starting place of love. hope and dreams. A place where we start each morning and return each evening. I began creating my Home Series in 2020 and continue to add to it. I often incorporate mixed media for added texture and interest. I enjoy telling a story in my work which is often as I see things or dream of how things should be rather than the realistic narrative.

Crystal Gibbins

Inspired by its serene atmosphere and captivating landscape of the North Shore. I aimed to depict the essence of this remarkable location. I hope to transport viewers to this idyllic setting and ignite a sense of solace, wanderlust. and appreciation for the beauty that lies within our natural world.

Kim Buskala

My school years were enhanced because of art. junior high school and senior high school I took as many art classes as possible. As I grew into adulthood I got caught up in the have to do's and lost my direction for art. It wasn't until the loss of my mother and several others. consecutively, over five years that brought me back to where I needed to be. It started with a conscious movement class (I've got rhythm. dance my mo jo, music my muse). There. I met an art therapist who suggested making art to work through my grief. I started with crayons. moved on to pastels and recently have been moved to work with fiber. I also write poetry which I feel was another opportunity to reconnect with my mother after she had passed. I was open to receiving, the world filled me with wonderful solutions for dealing with my grief. The arts lead the way and I chose to follow.

Marlene Wisuri

Art Medium: Diptych - Digital photographs Hearts can bear the scars of abuse and anger until they become as hard and unyielding as stones on the beach, but hope and healing can be as powerful as the green growth flowering from shadowed crevices to bring light and color to the world.

Michelle Wegler

A custom portrait of your pet! This item is an 8 x 10 matted portrait painted by myself. The portrait will be painted from your photo in sepia tones in soft pastel, single pet, plain background. A lasting Treasure!

Margie Helstrom

I love to paint and express myself with chroma and pattern. Viewers have shared they are drawn to my work by my use of color. strong composition and whimsical perspectives. Adjectives of "happy" and "hopeful" have also been responses to my work. I am a seeker of beauty in the midst of a very broken world. The act of painting brings me to that place.

Patty Salo Downs

fabrics. All of our experiences in life, the highs and lows and everything else in between. contribute to the fabric of our being. Each piece of fabric represents a significant life event. It takes courage to put our pieces together and yet. when we do, it is beautiful.

Zachris Haataja

These pieces, once bare. received their marks and colorings from the elements that they were exposed to in their extremely harsh firing process. The heat and flames transformed metals and once-living materials. such as fruit peels and animal bones, into pools of color and texture. Just as we may be scorched, changed, and renewed through the trials of life, these vases have withstood dramatic changes and are now reborn through the fire and emerge as new vessels - whole and beautiful.

Amber Burns

We often feel a representation of ourselves through animals. I like to use bright colors and patterns in my work that express the emotions and connections we feel to an animal and who we are. This work is titled "Protector" because a mother. whether a person or an animal. is protective of their children.

Margie Helstrom

I love to paint and express myself with chroma and pattern. Viewers have shared they are drawn to my work by my use of color. strong composition and whimsical perspectives. Adjectives of "happy" and "hopeful" have also been responses to my work. I am a seeker of beauty in the midst of a very broken world. The act of painting brings me to that place.

Sharon Rogers

Every word is a seed, especially in a young mind. It's in delivery where thought is brought forth with room to blossom or damage; untruthful. spite. or threatening verses kindness. encouragement. and acceptance. Humans tend to remember negativity. Often. good words slide off to a place buried deep within our minds. With fair upbringing, friends, and being comfortable with who we are. we may find them again. Seed words that encourage, reassure. and build up confidence that is every individual's birthright. As humans. what slides off one person sticks like burrs to another. Plant kindness in words and stand up to those who bully or harass. remembering they have their own devils to deal with.

Kristen Anderson

Created as part of a study in upcycling past f eltmaking materials. "Spark" was created with color blocks that took on a life of their own. As the scrap layers were felted together. unique forms emerged, including small. green. spark-like images. While small. these bits of green add the feel of hope and life to the piece as they emerge from the uniformity of the surrounding colors to shine.

Sandra Signorelli

Esther Piszczek

This sculptural piece stands as a metaphor for the complexity of human emotion and experience over a lifetime of learning. The artwork in this twelve sided origami shape, a dodecahedron. begins with simple lines much like humans who come into this world, simply, needing everything provided for them. As they learn and grow their given personality traits and characteristics grow with them. just like each successive 18" paper module in Stages continues to evolve layer by layer. The conceptual building of line and pattern from simple to complex is a metaphor for the learning and growth every human goes through in life beginning with our genetic makeup (the structure of the form) and changing through our life experiences (the artwork). The interior pattern reflects each being's internal experience, while the external pattern is the "face" we show to the world. The structure creates 12 pentagon openings that allow the free flow of information and experience from internal to external and back again. The white spaces are the spaces of opportunity that the Universe provides for pivot points and what our own soul brings to our learning and growth. We each evolve in our own natural time with help from others and that experience is reflected in our way of being.

Stoneweaver - Tracy Chaplin

When I sit at my workbench, there's always a stone that resonates. That's where I begin, playing until the pattern emerges around the natural contours of the stone. My love of black ash basketry, patterns, knots, weaving and stones has evolved into this art form I call "Stoneweaving", guided by my daily meditation practice. When the weave is complete, I draw a question card from an ever-growing collection related to my leadership development work. The question card always seems to know what message the stoneweaving is offering, and is included with each stoneweaving, surfacing the deeper spirit of connection.

Tom Zipf

Candice Adamczak

As an intuitive artist I set intention for my work and attune each piece with that intention. There are many layers. This piece represents Grace. A letting go of that which does not serve to make room for healing and the beauty that the future holds for us. It is about doing the work it takes, using your unique gifts and trusting yourself and the universe to provide a positive pathway. The first layer of this piece began with a painting session with my 22 month old granddaughter. She painted her hands and feet and put marks all over the canvas. Therefore it is embedded with the innocence of a child.

Sarah Hallberg

Love. growth. positive energy ,for the future is bright.

Liz Minette

This poem reflects on past abuse through denial of food or eating times, and how the speaker in the poem reclaims space and peace along with her daughters through cooking together in the kitchen again, freely, and delighting in ritual and routine and re­making good memories as they prepare meals.

Mary Kay Berarducci

This spot is near Isabella. I stopped here once to let my dog out to stretch and thought it was beautiful. I stopped by more and more and got to witness the change of seasons. This place is peaceful and reassuring. The first painting I did of this spot. different angle. was before the Greenwood fires. This one is after. All the trees in the back have been affected now. by fire or relationally, as trees are connected underground. In the painting, the trees in the middle represent the special people in my life on our own spot of fresh green grass and lovely surroundings. The destruction in the background or past. is all of the sadness and losses in our lives. We lived through the chaos but can still be in a good place. A small cluster of supportive. kind people. who show up to help each other and listen during hard times. We all know that life is short and precious and we deserve our peace and happiness too. And we laugh the biggest laughs. Over my lifetime. some pretty amazing people have crossed my path. Together. we've found a place in the sun. where we can be we. Heard and loved.

Sarah Bamford Seidelmann

My dad who is 81 got COVID and ended up in the hospital on a Friday night. It was a long 9 hour wait in the ER before a room opened up. He was so cold and had the chills off and on. The kind nurses kept bringing us hospital blankets (those thick flannel things?) but they didn't do the trick and my dad was freezing. I kept thinking, "I wish I had one of our soft blankets from home - he'd be warm in a second." Finally I threw my down jacket over him and we fashioned a "hat" out of his polar fleece shirt (that he was not allowed to wear over his hospital gown) to help him retain heat. Such a simple thing ... to be warm and cozy .... but so many are not? Because of COVID restrictions, I was not allowed to visit him the next day. So, with angst in my heart and time on my hands, I decided to paint this imaginary warm blanket full of beautiful and protective beasties. Warm blankets make everything better. My dad died in peace ten days later, covered in wonderful blankets. I miss him so much.

Linnaea Borealis Rose

Art Medium: Watecolor and Egg Tempura The concept of this piece represents the power of reading for youths. No matter what environment they live in, books provide a refuge of safety and healing. The youth in this image is surrounded by themes of family, adventure. and self empowerment; all represented in fantasy themes.

Linda Freeman

A series of three scenes. starting with the innocence of little children. The next scene shows a victim of violence or psychological abuse; the victim feels very small. imprisoned by darkness. their very person hood threatened - - they have no agency. The third scene in the series depicts people who care in the First Witness and other nonprofits. who take action. and DO what brings the fresh winds of HOPE. And "Hope does not disappoint.. .. " Romans 5:5