“Stars of Hope”
an art installation by Jane Ingram Allen
at 620 4th Street, Santa Rosa, California
Installed on November 25, 2020

“Stars of Hope” is part of the Downtown Chamber’s “Open and Out” series of 2020 art and cultural activities in downtown Santa Rosa. In this time of a pandemic and an economic downturn, these stars of colorful handmade paper with seeds for wildflowers in them express hope for a brighter future in 2021. After the installation comes down in early 2021, these stars will be given out to residents to plant in their own yard or keep as a remembrance of this time and our hopes for a better world.

There are so many things we hope for as we approach the holiday season and the end of 2020 and start of 2021. We hope for an end to the pandemic and a cure or a vaccine for the Coronavirus that is still affecting us all around the world. We hope for more economic opportunities and a fairer distribution of wealth and good jobs for everyone. We hope for a better environment and a positive response to climate change and other issues affecting our relationship with the earth. We hope for a better understanding and a coming together for our country and a renewal of our commitment to the ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people. We can wish upon these “Stars of Hope” and work together for a better 2021.
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sutter Health in Santa Rosa liked the idea of this art installation and agreed to sponsor it for the Chamber’s “Winter Lights” public artworks this season. Words of hope by Sutter employees are included in signage for this installation.
This photo by Timothy S. Allen shows the installation with twinkling lights bringing light to the downtown area.