With a community art initiative, a Florida State University art professor is honoring the resilience of the small rural community of Steinhatchee after hurricanes Idalia and Debby.
“Learning from Local Experiences to Build Disaster Resilience” is led by Katie Kehoe, assistant professor in the Department of Art, in collaboration with the Steinhatchee Community Projects Board. The goal is to invite community members to write on three life rings placed in key locations how they were affected and what helped them weather the storm.
“It’s been wonderful to read the nominations submitted so far by community members,” Kehoe said. “They are truly a testament to the strength of Steinhatchee. We can learn a lot from how friends and neighbors here have come together after two natural disasters. This is the real Florida.”
Community members are also being asked to nominate neighbors to be recognized for their resilience following the storm. Residents can submit nominations at NominateMyNeighbor.us.
This project is part of a pilot research initiative examining how rural communities recover from extreme weather events such as hurricanes. It was funded by the Office of Research’s Collaborative Collision program, an interdisciplinary networking event that brings together researchers from seemingly disparate disciplines on a common topic.
“This project shows how art can bring communities together and contribute to healing,” said Jeff Beekman, chair of the art department, “and how powerful it can be as a catalyst for important conversations. When art faculty can connect with other innovators from across campus through initiatives like Collaborative Collision, great things happen.”
The project will conclude with a public tree planting and dedication event on Saturday, September 14th from 2-5 p.m. at the Steinhatchee Community Center. All nominees will be named and three will be selected by the Steinhatchee Community Projects Board to have a tree planted and dedicated in their honor.
The life preservers are currently located at the Steinhatchee Post Office, Vystar Credit Union and the American Legion through Friday, August 23.
“We are very excited to see this Collaborative Collision project have a positive impact on the Steinhatchee community,” said Beth Hodges, director of research development at FSU. “We know this area was directly in the path of Hurricane Debby, and it is important that our faculty participate in the relief efforts.”
Resilience is a key focus of ASPIRE, the university’s strategic research plan.
For more information, visit NominateMyNeighbor.us.
