We are HOME
In mid-April 2015, a message suddenly appeared woven into the chain-link fence opposite the Oxford School driveway: You Are NOBLE. Our Noble Community-Wide Home & Yard Sale was on the horizon and it certainly seemed that this missive anticipated our April 26 event, but no one from Noble Neighbors had considered public art in our mass communications strategy. Who knew the artists and what was their intent?
Early the next day, I saw the “NOBLE” word of the message torn to shreds and littering the ground. While returning home to fetch a shovel and broom, I fielded phone calls from city personnel and residents complaining about the mess, assuming we were responsible for the art work. Remarkably, this simple public art installation quickly became a focal point for the neighbors, although it was not yet a focus of pride or joy.
When I finally was able to return to the damaged art, I found a young mother picking up pieces of braided t-shirt strips she and her second grade son, Reuben used to create the letters. Since this family moved here only a few years ago, I asked the mom, “Are you aware of the rivalry between Noble and Oxford Schools?” explaining that, for a long time, the city’s neighborhoods had been identified by their local elementary schools. Not only was she unaware, but she and Reuben had heard about our Noble Neighbors’ efforts to showcase our area and had wanted to celebrate our growing positive efforts for the people who live near Noble Road by using this term with its multiple meanings of place, character and event. As an author, Reuben’s mom appreciated the power of a single word and would use this disappointment to help her son learn a critical communications lesson.
Reuben came home from school a few days later announcing that he had solved the mystery of the art vandals. They were fourth and fifth graders who also attended Oxford School and believed they were valiantly defending the Oxford neighborhood with their misguided actions. Reuben still wanted to encourage his classmates so he and his mom considered a revised message. They reinstalled the perfect words: We Are Home.
“We Are Home” proclaims the sentiment we all share. This propels us to continue our efforts to improve this important neighborhood in Cleveland Heights. Public art indeed is one of the projects in the works. We hope to create focal points which do declare our pride in our place and our joy in our journeys through life together as neighbors. We’re considering murals and sculptures, permanent and temporary works, professional and student-led options.
While Reuben’s installation is nearing the end of it’s natural material life, it is still proudly proclaiming the good message worth rallying around. A second grade boy and his heart to make his friends smile is inspiring us to continue to face toward a hope-filled future. Do contact us to join this project of place-making in our area. It will truly be a Noble project.
Early the next day, I saw the “NOBLE” word of the message torn to shreds and littering the ground. While returning home to fetch a shovel and broom, I fielded phone calls from city personnel and residents complaining about the mess, assuming we were responsible for the art work. Remarkably, this simple public art installation quickly became a focal point for the neighbors, although it was not yet a focus of pride or joy.
When I finally was able to return to the damaged art, I found a young mother picking up pieces of braided t-shirt strips she and her second grade son, Reuben used to create the letters. Since this family moved here only a few years ago, I asked the mom, “Are you aware of the rivalry between Noble and Oxford Schools?” explaining that, for a long time, the city’s neighborhoods had been identified by their local elementary schools. Not only was she unaware, but she and Reuben had heard about our Noble Neighbors’ efforts to showcase our area and had wanted to celebrate our growing positive efforts for the people who live near Noble Road by using this term with its multiple meanings of place, character and event. As an author, Reuben’s mom appreciated the power of a single word and would use this disappointment to help her son learn a critical communications lesson.
Reuben came home from school a few days later announcing that he had solved the mystery of the art vandals. They were fourth and fifth graders who also attended Oxford School and believed they were valiantly defending the Oxford neighborhood with their misguided actions. Reuben still wanted to encourage his classmates so he and his mom considered a revised message. They reinstalled the perfect words: We Are Home.
“We Are Home” proclaims the sentiment we all share. This propels us to continue our efforts to improve this important neighborhood in Cleveland Heights. Public art indeed is one of the projects in the works. We hope to create focal points which do declare our pride in our place and our joy in our journeys through life together as neighbors. We’re considering murals and sculptures, permanent and temporary works, professional and student-led options.
While Reuben’s installation is nearing the end of it’s natural material life, it is still proudly proclaiming the good message worth rallying around. A second grade boy and his heart to make his friends smile is inspiring us to continue to face toward a hope-filled future. Do contact us to join this project of place-making in our area. It will truly be a Noble project.