Panel
Photo credit: Conservation staff
Dimensions (Metric): 236.22 cm X 30.48 cm X 3.81 cm
Pandora's Lantern panel consisting of eight colorful children's drawings on vellum arranged vertically within a wooden frame. The panel attaches to the roof of the sculpture with two hook-and-eye latches.
Artwork 1 (top)
Mixed media artwork depicting the word "Hope" in yellow on top of light blue paint being painted by a brush. Orange-red lines surround the word.
Artwork 2
Marker drawing depicting a shape with an intricate design featuring leaves, swirls, and a bird. Atop the shape is a crescent moon and a star. Vines descend from each side of the shape and above, connecting to the star. The background is solid magenta.
Artwork 3
Marker drawing depicting a stringed instrument, a baseball bat, and abstract shapes.
Artwork 4
Mixed media artwork depicting a wolf on a rock howling at the sun in a blue sky.
Artwork 5
Marker drawing depicting a military scene featuring stick figures firing guns, a tank, and various military aircraft.
Artwork 6
Mixed media artwork depicting a pink feminine face and hand. There are yellow flowers, pink hearts, and green peace signs in the blue background.
Artwork 7
Marker drawing depicting a clock with roman numerals replacing the numbers "12, 3, 6, and 9." The background is abstract and multicolored.
Artwork 8
Crayon drawing depicting two flowers radiating light against a black background.
America’s Camp welcomed children who had family members die as a result of the 9/11 attacks. Each summer, campers and counselors produced a collaborative art project. Artistic Director Traci Molloy recalled that when bereaved children first arrived at America’s Camp, they “painted almost exclusively in shades of black and red.” As years passed, that tone changed. These panels are part of a 44-panel illuminated lantern created in 2007. It was inspired by the myth of Pandora, who releases evils into the world, but still retains hope. Molloy drew a comparison to the children’s earlier work, noting that “the color palette brightened . . . as themes of hope and love took center stage.”
