Helping hope take wing
By Erica Andrews
Kristin Gruenberger with a new flock of Hopeful Birds.
Inspired by the pandemic-born Hopeful Birds Project, ceramist Kristin Gruenberger gathers local artists to hatch cheery birds bearing messages of joy and connection. It was a gloomy year for many, but there’s hope ahead. That’s the message inherent in the Hopeful Birds Project, a grassroots effort to bring art, kindness and smiles to one another during challenging times…in the form of vibrant ceramic birds. “The birds connect us to share moments of joy,” said Hopeful Birds Project founder Rita Vali. “They serve as a metaphor – we are individuals, mostly isolated in our homes, yet by sharing similar feelings and experiences we can support each other.” Vali hatched the idea in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic, when a global hush settled over daily life amid stay-at-home orders and lengthy quarantines. While taking refuge in her Louisville, Colorado, home, Vali became inspired by the colorful, chattering birds reveling in the spring sunshine of her backyard. Each glimpse of the feathered friends lifted her spirits, and she wanted to replicate that feeling for her neighbors. Since Vali is a ceramic artist, she began crafting ceramic birds from home, each one with its own personality and features. Vali released her first flock of 21 birds in April 2020 on the trails and parks in her suburban neighborhood, with an intention to spread 14
Photos: Dusty Demerson
