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Dennis Jones has designed and will execute the Sandra Sagear Wall
of Courage; he is a licensed practicing architect and artist from Plymouth,
Michigan.
Born in
1959 and originally from Detroit, Dennis Jones now resides in Plymouth,
Michigan. He is a licensed practicing architect and artist. He completed his
formal education as an architect from the University of Detroit in 1984. He
then went on to Wayne State University and received his master in fine arts
degree in 1990. He has taught architectural design and drawing at the
University of Detroit, Wayne State University and Macomb County Community
College. Several architectural firms employed him as a project designer
through the 1980's, until he began his own architecture studio in 1992. Jones
has exhibited his art at several Michigan galleries, including the Joanne Winkleman
Hulce Gallery, Buckham Gallery, Willis Gallery, Swidler Gallery, Michigan
Gallery and the Detroit Artists Market. The Detroit Artists Market awarded
him a 1988 Scholarship Award. He received a Second Place Design Award in the
International New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial Competition in 1984. Other
members of the Jones' household include his wife, Alyssa, his two and a
half-year-old daughter, Kenzie, and his Dalmatian, Blue. Alyssa is employed
at Oakwood Hospital and Medical Center in Dearborn as an embryologist. |
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Dennis Jones on the Sandra Sagear Memorial
Wall Project The image that moved me so regarding Sandra Sagear’s life
was picturing her as a small child strapped with leg braces and crutches. I imagined
her constant struggle. Struggles that any healthy person would avoid or take
for granted. Being a parent, I imagined the hardship her family must have
endured. Yet Sandra, with the help of family and friends persevered and
succeeded where others have failed. Such is the gift of the human spirit. It
is with Sandra’s spirit at heart that the Sagear Wall was conceived. The Sagear Wall consists of several elements. Central to
the design is a large, 400 pound piece of white and beige colored alabaster,
carved in relief, depicting Sandra as an adult looking directly at herself as
a small child. Sandra, the adult, appears to be reflecting on her life,
whereas Sandra, the child, looks hopefully to the future. Other
interpretations of the two figures could be; a mother and child, teacher and
student or any nurturing relationship. The coloration of the alabaster
captures Sandra’s fragility and her calm, pure spirit. The alabaster
sculpture is set upon a unique base. The front of the base is "stepped", literally
recalling the stairs Sandra "scooted up" everyday to reach her
classes on the second floor of the high school she attended. figuratively,
these "steps" suggest strength of spirit, moving forward and facing
adversity. The mural measures approximately nineteen feet across and
ten feet tall. Several outlined figures, carved into a wood panel, grace the
mural on both sides of the sculpture. The inclusion of these figures suggest
the support of family and friends, others that have endured hardship and
succeeded and people that Sandra may have helped throughout her life. A
written biography of Sandra’s life is carved into the panel directly above
the alabaster sculpture. The overall coloration of the mural compliments the
alabaster sculpture and brings emphasis to Sandra’s calm strength. Other sculptural elements include child’s crutches and leg
braces. These two objects have been cast in lead and set upon a low wooden
bench located on each side of the alabaster sculpture. The suggestion here
recalls the manner in which Sandra may have removed and placed her crutches
and braces at the end of her day. Lead was chosen as a material to suggest
weight and burden. The lead retains evidence of the casting process, the
rough appearance further suggesting that these are objects of use with all
the marks of their wear. A frame made of lead surrounds the entire mural. The names
of past and future students that have endured hardships and succeeded will be
engraved into the frame. The completion of the Sagear Wall brings me great pleasure
to know that future generations will be encouraged to appreciate the hardship
of others and their individual spirit to succeed. ~ Dennis Jones, August 16, 2002 |
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Last Updated September 25, 2004 Email: clarion@storytellerdesign.com Photos Property of V. Bench &
T. Sagear, Copyright © |