Save Our Children

A core focus of my work has been to benefit children and animals – those who often cannot advocate for themselves.

Much of my outreach has been through public art installations, which are particularly impactful for children, who are more likely to encounter and be influenced by art in public spaces than in private collections.

The playful, whimsical nature of these installations is intentionally designed to spark curiosity and capture attention, creating an opportunity to communicate deeper messages. For example, with my weathervane piece, viewers are encouraged to add their own messages to the base, an invitation that children often embrace enthusiastically.

This act of participation draws them even closer to the artwork’s core message, fostering a sense of connection and ownership. In many cases, we have invited youth groups to participate in opening ceremonies. We strive to make these events as accessible as possible, coordinating transportation and organizing dedicated activities to ensure children feel truly included in the dedication process.

For instance, as part of the “Gator in the Bay” project, we sponsored a series of youth-focused excursions into Everglades National Park. One particularly memorable event involved providing transportation for inner-city homeless children to experience the park firsthand.

Hearing these kids express awe at seeing a forest, watching fish swim in their natural habitat, or meeting uniformed park rangers for the first time was a profound reminder of the power of these experiences. Moments like these underscore the importance of making art and nature accessible to those who might otherwise miss out.