‘Survivor Tree’ artwork received
Local first responders awarded ‘gift of gratitude’ on Sept. 11 by Iowa Central staff and students
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In commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack, an artistic "gift of gratitude" was presented to local first responders on Friday morning by staff members and students of Iowa Central Community College.
In two separate ceremonies held at their respective headquarters, the Fort Dodge Fire Department and Fort Dodge Police Department were each awarded a special, student-constructed 3-D mosaic piece of artwork depicting the "Survivor Tree" -- an iconic symbol of 9/11.
The "Survivor Tree" art project was cosponsored by Iowa's Central's TRIO program, and Visual Arts, Digital Arts, and Photography programs.
Kris Nierem-Lowery, Trio director, and Jennifer Dutcher, head of visual arts, presented the Survivor Tree to representatives of each department.
Police Chief Dennis Quinn and Assistant Chief Cory Husske received the artwork at the Law Enforcement Center on behalf of the FDPD. A large group of assembled firefighters received the artwork at the local FDFD headquarters.
Nierem-Lowery came up with the idea for the local project.
"I felt like there was an opportunity for our campus to take some time to recognize the importance of 9/11, not just the actual event that occurred, but the importance that it still has on our society today," she said.
The original Survivor Tree is "a living symbol of resilience" located at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan. Recovery workers found the severely damaged, 8-foot tree in in the rubble of Ground Zero in October 2001; it was subsequently nursed back to health. The tree was replanted at the same site in December 2010, and has grown to over 30 feet tall since that time.
Nierem-Lowery recalls seeing the Survivor Tree during her visit to Ground Zero in 2019. She was deeply moved by the experience, and wanted to remind others of its symbolic value.
"When they found this tree in the rubble soon after the attack, they worked really hard to rehab the tree and bring it back to Ground Zero," she said. "And it represents so many things. For me, it's a symbol for our nation coming out of the rubble, and making sense of all of it, and trying to find hope, growth, and strength again."
Nierem-Lowery decided that the image of the tree would be a fitting tribute to first responders in Fort Dodge on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. She reached out to other campus program coordinators to cosponsor the Survivor Tree art project.
She recalls that they all agreed that the Survivor Tree was an inspirational symbol.
"And we said, let's create something in art; and so, Jennifer Dutcher put together some great art ideas, and that's where we started with the tree project."
As a result, dozens of Iowa Central students became involved in the project, including students not only from Fort Dodge and Iowa, but also from other U.S. states and foreign nations. Each student was responsible for constructing or painting one leaf to be included on the mosaic tree.
"This heartfelt project brought together Iowa Central students from around the world, who shared their creativity and talents to create something meaningful for the community they are now a part of," according to a statement from Iowa Central. "This artwork is more than just a piece of art -- it is a thank-you."
"It represents our appreciation for the men and women who serve our community every day, responding when we need them, caring for our neighbors, and helping keep Fort Dodge and the surrounding communities safe," the statement added. "We are incredibly proud of our students for using their creativity to connect, give back, and make a difference."