Hi there,
An update on this project:
In 2013, John Vouros from the Newtown Board of Education assisted in getting the art works to Healing Newtown, the arts organization founded after the tragedy. The artwork was displayed in the town and then later went on tour (when I had last checked it was in Chicago). Healing Newtown was later absorbed by the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission. All the artwork received by these organizations will be part of a Permanent Memorial. While this is underway, the artwork is in a secure storage facility. Read more about the Memorial here: http://www.newtown-ct.gov/…/NewtownCT_MemorialSandyHo…/index
Below and attached is a letter of thanks from Carole M. Ross at the office of the First Selectman.
Dear Jensine - Thank you so much for your phone call today. As I explained, all of the artwork received from the tragedy is being stored with Iron Mountain. They are a world-wide facility that volunteered to care for our gifts, quilts, artwork, all manner of items until such time as they are displayed. They are a secure, climate controlled facility and the only folks allowed in are myself or the First Selectman. I have seen it. It is amazing and we were so very impressed with the care and security they offer. Shortly after Sandy Hook, as you know, we received hundreds and thousands of items and were at a loss as to how to keep them without damage. Iron Mountain came in and offered whatever we needed for however long.
I thank you and your group of artists for their loving gift. Just know that the artwork is safe and sound until we can offer them back to the community. The Permanent Memorial Commission is working hard on the memorial. Location, type, etc with constant input from the families. You can check on our website - under Boards and Commissions to see how that is going. It is quite a process and quite emotional for all of us.
Carole M. Ross, HR Administrator Town of Newtown