After seeing friends share photos of themselves standing in front of wings painted on walls, artist Stefan Senna was inspired to direct his talent toward a public purpose.
Stefan lives on the section of Alberta Street designated as a bike corridor. “After the last year and a half being so challenging on everyone, and me having my own experiences, I decided to focus on things that would be fun – things that make me feel good.”
The artist got to work painting wings cut from wood, with each set in support of or to acknowledge an aspect of local culture. The first set in the Freedom Wings Project are dedicated to equality and freedom for all people of all back–grounds, race, gender and identity.
The second set, the Butterfly Wings Project, is dedicated to all of the teachers who helped students traverse the challenges of the pandemic. Stefan is currently working on the Flying Fish Wings Project, in honor of beautiful oceans.
The Phoenix Wings Project comes next. “I asked my teenager which set of wings would be a good symbol for all of the challenges that our kids have faced during the pandemic,” he explained. “His response was the Phoenix. It seemed fitting.”
Stefan intends to install the wings from 70th to Mississippi avenues, and a map of the wings is part of his final plan.
The artist is seeking residents on the south side of the bike corridor streets to host sets of wings. To participate, contact him at StefanSenna@gmail.com, or help fund the project GoFundMe.com/f/cku8w4-wings-of-freedom.
Michel Reeverts, aka Maquette, holds a master of arts degree in art education, serves Alberta Art Works as director and Alberta Street Gallery as a board member. She is also a practicing artist. Contact her at Maquette@AlbertaArtWorks.org