Creating Beauty from Devastation: An Artist’s Journey in Western North Carolina
An artist in western North Carolina is creating beauty from the devastation of Helene, as her community continues to recover one year after the historic storm. For Omi Salavea, the pursuit to create from what was broken began the winter after Helene wreaked havoc on her town of Old Fort, North Carolina. While still reeling from the physical and spiritual toll of the storm, she began making figurines inspired by Bluebirds of Hope – a symbol of happiness – to create a bit of joy as she and her tight-knit community mourned.
The Birth of Bluebirds of Hope
The seed of the idea began after Salavea noticed broken bits of glass and other sharp debris throughout parts of Old Fort in the wake of Helene. She noted how she felt compelled to pick up the pieces she found. “We already had been through a massive, historic event, and I didn’t want one more bad thing to happen to somebody, like getting a flat tire,” she said. She also noted that her actions made an impact beyond making the devastated areas of Old Fort safer. “I think it was my coping mechanism to pick up broken bits of glass and nails,” she added.
“Bluebird of Hope” by Salavea.
(Omi Salavea / @omi.salavea / Instagram / FOX Weather)
From Brokenness to Beauty
As the bits of glass piled up on her desk, Salavea said she noticed how beautifully they reflected the sunlight. Those colorful reflections then prompted the artist to repurpose the glass, giving them a life beyond their brokenness. For many of those pieces, that life took the shape of Bluebirds of Hope, bird-shaped figurines made of clear resin that hold the shards of Helene within. Salavea then began using the birds to help highlight and tell the story of her town of about 800 people, as it continues to rebuild after the disastrous storm.
Pieces of glass Salavea collected.
(Omi Salavea / FOX Weather)
A Scavenger Hunt to Unite the Community
Inspired by a beloved hobby of geocaching, Salavea kicked off scavenger hunts in which she hides the Bluebirds of Hope throughout Old Fort in areas that were severely damaged by Helene, in addition to areas that have recovered. She hopes that, by giving visitors to Old Fort a chance to search for the birds, she is giving them a chance to see her community in ways that major headlines about Helene’s impacts on western North Carolina might miss. Anyone can participate in the scavenger hunt, as Salavea leaves clues about where she hides her Bluebirds of Hope online.
Bluebird of Hope.
(Omi Salavea / FOX Weather)
A Message of Hope and Resilience
Salavea’s work is a testament to the power of creativity and community in the face of adversity. By transforming broken glass into beautiful works of art, she is sending a message of hope and resilience to her community and beyond. To learn more about the scavenger hunts, the Bluebirds of Hope, and Salavea’s work, you can follow her on Instagram. For more information on this story, visit Here
Image Source: www.foxweather.com
