Honey for the Heart Fosters Community and Family
By: Elise Hammond
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Giant puppets marched down Court Street last week. Honey for the Heart held open workshops five days a week to prepare the massive works of art for the parade.
In one location, Trisolini Gallery in Ohio University’s Baker Center, many different types of people gathered around the square tables covered in felt, gems and glue. Some students came with learning communities and others just to relax.
Rachel Ellis, a junior studying education, said she uses Honey for the Heart as a way to take a break from her classes and meet new people.
“Sometimes just need to get away from everything that’s going on,” she said.
Resident artist Rachel Clark said no matter what the motivation, Honey for the Heart is purely for fun. She has been an artist for the project for three years and said it is a great way to bridge the gap between Ohio University students and the surrounding community.
“It’s really about the experience of making art together,” she said. “And having fun and just talking as you do.”
In Trisolini Gallery, Anika Dennis and her mom worked alongside students. They have been participating in Honey for the Heart for five years. Anika said she has walked in the parade all five years wearing costumes she has worked on.
“Mostly I haven’t been really a puppet, more like an outfit with masks,” she said.
At the Central Venue location, it was seven-year-old Abner Wedel’s second time working on the project. He was at the gallery with his dad and younger sister – busy decorating a mask with strands of pearls and a breathing tube stemming from the mouth area. When we spoke with him he said it was a work in progress.
“I’m still decorating mine, I’m not done,” he said. “I like putting like jewels and glitter and paper mache.”
In her three years as an artist for the project, Clark said she has seen many families like Anika and Abner’s.
“It’s really just growing,” she said. “The feeling of just being in this space of Central Venue, it’s really exciting.”
The puppet making workshops opened in three locations this year: Trisolini Gallery in Baker Center, Central Venue on Carpenter Street and Passion Works Studio.
