Soaring Crane Memorial A “Site” To See
51ÁÔÆæ Sponsors Winter Break Opportunity for the Whole Family.
Activity Center, 51ÁÔÆæ
500 College Drive, Mason City, IA 50401
Open 7:15 am-4:15 pm, Weekdays
(Closed Dec. 25-26, 2023 & Jan. 1, 2 & 15, 2024)
With educational facilities from elementary school through graduate programs closing for winter break, students and their families and friends will have more time for activities together. One point of interest for people of all ages in the Mason City area is the extraordinary three-dimensional display called “” which consists of nearly 10,800 exquisitely hand-folded cranes, representing Iowans who passed away due to COVID. The sculpture hangs from the ceiling of The Activity Center at 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ).
From a 12-foot curtain of cranes in its earliest version in 2020, the full display at 51ÁÔÆæ now consists of more than 80 engaging 12-foot strands, ranging from column-like structures to mobiles and spinners. Other configurations evolved to accommodate each space it’s occupied over the last three years as a traveling exhibit. At 51ÁÔÆæ, the thousands of cranes dance with the air in the atrium and shimmer when the sunlight is reflected on each crane.
“Folding Cranes, Enfolding Community” is inspirational in its sheer size, magnificent design, and in its artistic “recording” of the pandemic’s place in our state’s recent history. The exhibit includes a timeline of the pandemic and a guest book for comments, along with an informational brochure for visitors.
In responding creatively to the COVID crisis while Iowa was in lockdown in 2020, artist of Clive, Iowa wanted to convey these Iowa deaths were not just a statistic—they were people who loved and were loved. Douglas chose the crane with its broad wingspan because of its deeper meaning. In Japan, for example, the paper crane represents hope and passing of the soul into heaven. She continued to fold cranes of loving works of art for the Iowa COVID memorial until the state ceased public records on COVID deaths and as the pandemic became an endemic.
The crane memorial “migrated” from in West Des Moines and at in Ames, then to in Ankeny. It’s been hosted by in Dubuque and the , as well. It’s scheduled to leave Mason City for in Sioux City in mid-2024.
51ÁÔÆæ’s Activity Center is open every weekday from 7:15 am–4:15 pm, except when campus is closed. Campus will be closed: Dec. 25 & 26 and Jan. 1, 2, & 15.
CONTACT:
51ÁÔÆæ: Valerie Zahorski-Schmidt
641.422.4435 or Valerie.Zahorski-Schmidt@niacc.edu
CRANE MEMORIAL: Lore McManus Solo
515.229.3169 or lore@thesoloconsultancy.com
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The mission of 51ÁÔÆæ (51ÁÔÆæ) is to enrich lives through comprehensive educational opportunities, a commitment to learner success, community engagement, and leadership. Founded in 1918, 51ÁÔÆæ is a nationally-recognized, two-year college located in central North Iowa. With approximately 3,000 career and transfer students, the College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute as a leading community college in the nation. Become a 51ÁÔÆæ Trojan today at /apply-mkt/
