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Created with soft pastels on museum-quality, heavyweight, acid-free watercolor paper
primed with sand, this work depicts a young boy &; girl sitting on a rooftop, symbolizing
the hope & potential of future generations amid the tragedy of the 1921 Tulsa Race
Massacre. Behind them, a Tulsa World headline is altered, “175” changed to “300+” to
reflect the true death toll & “Race War” replaced with “Massacre” to name the act for
what it was. A dovetail butterfly, Oklahoma’s state butterfly, symbolizes rebirth; a red
rose in the girl’s hand, the state flower, represents resilience; & the boy’s watering can,
inscribed with 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, signifies nurturing growth despite devastation.
Telephone lines link past & present, underscoring history’s lasting impact. Through
layered symbolism, the piece honors the Greenwood community’s unity & strength while
calling to preserve its legacy & rebuild its spirit for future generations.
Created with soft pastels on museum-quality, heavyweight, acid-free watercolor paper
primed with sand, this work depicts a young boy &; girl sitting on a rooftop, symbolizing
the hope & potential of future generations amid the tragedy of the 1921 Tulsa Race
Massacre. Behind them, a Tulsa World headline is altered, “175” changed to “300+” to
reflect the true death toll & “Race War” replaced with “Massacre” to name the act for
what it was. A dovetail butterfly, Oklahoma’s state butterfly, symbolizes rebirth; a red
rose in the girl’s hand, the state flower, represents resilience; & the boy’s watering can,
inscribed with 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, signifies nurturing growth despite devastation.
Telephone lines link past & present, underscoring history’s lasting impact. Through
layered symbolism, the piece honors the Greenwood community’s unity & strength while
calling to preserve its legacy & rebuild its spirit for future generations.