Community – Ellen Kochansky

Collaborations with churches, businesses and community organizations have generated meaningful symbols, and helped groups to enhance their sense of identity. Ellen’s design for your group will reflect its particular needs and interests, and can be tailored to most budgets. Large panels and hangings are in her public portfolio, available upon request. Specific commission proposals are submitted after her initial consultation. Ellen can be available for valuable publicity opportunities such as press conferences, which can help to raise the organization’s profile and even enable the work to serve as a fund-raising device.

An important element of the community project is the collection and documentation of contributed memorabilia. A formal book can be commissioned as part of the project, archiving the group’s stories. We will provide a sample letter defining the appropriate contributions and timing, and specific recommendations regarding your collection of materials. We can lead you through the process of solicitation, gathering and annotating the donations, and conveying to us.

Commissioning such a work or series of works has proven to be a powerful bonding experience for many people and groups. Personal effects, filtered in this way, can help us to bridge life’s passages and create meaningful and lasting snapshots of important moments in time.

Mill Memory

Collective commemoration of textile mill history, 24 wood-framed panels 18″ x 18″ x 6″, commissioned by Hub City Writers Project, permanently installed in Chapman Cultural Center, Spartanburg, SC,

unveiled January, 2003

Commitments

Mercy Hospital, Charlotte, NC

2 hangings for curved wall of 1st floor elevator lobby, 48” by 92” each, consisting of pages made at employee workshops, using hospital artifacts. Hundreds of beads were created by participants, each committing to their part in the hospital’s transition to a more patient centered care model, the Planetree Initiative.

2009

Tower Spirits

Collective sculpture expressing grief and hope of 9/11, 150 contributors from 40 states and 5 countries. Permanent collection of Museum of Art + Design, NY, on tour 2 hangings 15” x 96” x 8” Book included.

2001

Elements

SCANA (SouthEast Regional power company, Columbia, SC)

20 metal grid panels 4’ by 6’ to 10’ each, assembled as a transparent maze in headquarters lobby, using memorabilia contributed by employees…valves, gear, safety equipment, tools, etc.

2010

Under One Roof

Commemorating 10th anniversary of the Community Building Initiative, Charlotte, NC. Proposed 10 indigo-dyed silk tarps, 4′ x 8′ each, using images and writings from a series of community workshops.

2009-2012

Garden Party

Commissioned by Bank of America, 2000 64 panels, over 700 bundles of memorabilia contributed by bank associates & facility partners 6′ high x 24′ wide, Gateway Center in Charlotte, NC

2000

Clemson Community Patchwork

City of Clemson, SC, 50th Anniversary sculpture, 1998 6 18-inch panels, 4’ x 6’ overall dimension, 54 contributing individuals and organizations Accompanied by handmade book and location map, Sponsored by Clemson Area Arts Council, Partially funded by the SC Arts Commission with support from NEA. Currently installed at the Clemson Arts Center.

1998