FLOWERS OF LOVE

A group of Northport High School art students, organized by local textile artist Oksana Danziger created a large art panel dedicated to the Parkland High School victims. The students are employing the Nuno Felting technique wherein wool and silk are woven together. The panel will consist of seventeen beautiful interconnected felt flowers.

Understandably, the project is extremely emotional for the students, adding to it that the anniversary of the Parkland High School shooting is coming up and a lot of kids are facing renewed fears of gun violence. Through the process of creating a beautiful piece of art students find a peaceful outlet for painful memories of this most tragic event.

It is Robin O’Neill-Gonzalez,  the Northport High School art teacher who directed the students in creating the project. The Fashion Club, who was in the middle of preparing for a school play, sewed all of the costumes for the play and still somehow made time to finish this amazing project.

On February 4th we presented our “Flowers of Love “project. The Northport Library community room is not overly large but somehow was enough for the 100 people who came. Guest speaker, Natalie McCann, a high school student representing the Long Island chapter of March for Our Lives made a dynamic presentation. She explained their laudable goals and shared her vision for changing Gun Laws forever. She talked about the importance of young people getting involved and making a difference in the world!

The Organization, Mom demands Action, was represented by mom, Gemma Saylor. She shared a lot of statistics about gun violence and clearly and carefully explained what they and other groups are doing, and how mentally ill people can be restricted from obtaining weapons. This group was founded after the Sandy Hook tragedy and is run by parents, mostly mothers.

The event, attended by approximately 75 Northport High School students, left everyone more informed, united, and determined. ”Flowers of Love” a beautiful piece of art celebrating the lives of seventeen Parkland High School shooting victims is now placed in the lobby of Northport High School.

This project was supported by the Huntington Art Council and the Art Council of New York.