Pictured-Wyoming County Chamber and Tourism representatives Scott Gardner and Norb Fuest, Attica Area Chamber of Commerce president Kristopher Kelly and members, representatives from the Attica Lions Club, representatives from the Village of Attica, and Krysta Aina from Arts Council for Wyoming County. The ribbon was cut by artist J. Brian Pfeiffer pictured center.
Press release/provided photo
The Wyoming County Chamber and Tourism join with the Attica Area Chamber of Commerce, representatives from the Attica Lions Club, the Village of Attica, and the Arts Council for Wyoming County, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 to dedicate the Reflection Tree, a public art installation located at the Attica Village Park, on Exchange Street in Attica.
“The Reflection Tree is a true representation and symbol of the strength and uniqueness represented by the community at large,” said Kristopher Kelly, President of the Attica Area Chamber. “As we all may have different backgrounds, different beliefs and different ways of living, we all come together as one to create the base of what births the future into existence.”
“This was a true collaboration for the Village of Attica on a day that is full of remembrance,” said Scott Gardner, President of the Wyoming County Chamber & Tourism office. “Congratulations to everyone for coming together to bring this worthwhile artistic representation of generational community impact to life. Thank you to everyone involved including the Attica Chamber, Arts Council, Attica Lions Club, the Village of Attica, and Brad Veley Masonry.”
The Reflection Tree was designed and crafted by artist J. Brian Pfeiffer, A Sculptor’s Soul Studio, and made possible with help from the Attica Chamber of Commerce and funding through the Arts Council for Wyoming County.
Artist J. Brian Pfeiffer recounts the inspiration for the Reflection Tree with the following commentary: “A tree represents stability – it bends in the strongest winds, yet always comes back to center. It protects us from the elements and provides us with the wood we build our communities with. Like all of us and the communities we live in, we sway in the winds of issues, politics and day to day challenges but we always seem to come back to center.”
“I can’t imagine a world without color. So, with that, the top of this reflection tree has a concrete/stained glass mosaic pyramid with the colors of the spectrum,” said Pfeiffer. “The changing colors of the leaves, the oceans and the sunsets, everything around us, come from those base colors.”
“The most important part of any tree is the bark. A tree’s bark is what keeps it alive, vibrant and growing. Goals, which every person and community strive to achieve. A critical component of this public art project was the very unique way the community had an opportunity to be a part of the bark’s creation.”
“The community was invited to come to the tree and push their handprint in the side of it. Each handprint touches the one next to it; that overlapping connection collectively became the tree’s bark. The sculpture was then painted adding to the depth of the palm textured bark.”
“So why call it a Reflection Tree? It becomes obvious by the reflection of the colored stained glass, especially at night, on the branches that hold the pyramid in place. And those handprints: sort of like looking back at a handprint on a concrete floor or sidewalk; the true vision of this project is that when people return to this tree years/decades from now they can look to find their handprint and will take a moment to reflect on what has happened and/or changed since that one-day way back in 2024 when the community came together to be a part of creating a permanent piece of public art,” concluded Pfeiffer.