Image

Our 3rd annual Wishes for the Sky happened on April 19, 2009. We set out to help people make good wishes while honoring the earth and themselves. We created an enchanted experience by the Mississippi River and helped root this young tradition in our community. We reminded many public visitors how important wishing and hope are for our world. This is a work of art enacted and created by the people. Thank you for making Wishes for the Sky a success.

The rain was wonderful. It gave us an opportunity to accept it. Of course, at first, we felt anxious and disappointed. But that feeling slowly washed away, and we were taken by how we looked at one another, reassuring each other that it was going to be ok. It didn’t matter that the numbers were modest. Everyone who was there sensed a great and different satisfaction. Each person who braved the weather became a blessing. Each visitor who came to the Mississippi on a drizzly day to make a wish was a friend, a fellow believer, a hearty Minnesotan.

To see hope, dedication, and generosity against the backdrop of rain is very different from seeing it on a sunny day. The whole day we held the youngest and oldest wishes in our hearts, again perhaps more so than on a sunny day.

The family of new baby Oliver wrote: “We wish every child has a safe home and loving family.”

Walter Breuning, 112 and the oldest man in the country, wrote: “I just wish people would be kind to each other.”

To enjoy our memories even more, please take a look at the list of selected wishes from the day. They are remarkable.

The early numbers tell us that more than 600 came to our event on April 19, more than 350 kites carried wishes, and we created no more than 3 pounds of trash. Beyond the numbers, there is so much to celebrate about our day together. We accomplished something very unique, and the openheartedness at the event was magnified.

Again, thank you.
The Wishes for the Sky Producing Ensemble 2009:

• Marcus Young, Lead Artist
• Vonda Vaden, Co-Producer
• Ming-Jen Chen
• Lynn Hoffman
• Lori Janey
• Brad Klages
• Kathleen Maloney
• Aki Shibata
• Travis Spangler

Wishes for the Sky Video

• Wishes for the Sky is a large-scale multidisciplinary public art event celebrating Earth Day.
• Bring a wind chime. Kites provided. Please don't bring your own kite.
• Supported by more than 20 organizations, this nature-inspired day of wishing was attended by 1800 people in 2007, its inaugural year.
• Even with 1800 attendees we produced only 5 pounds of trash—a remarkable feat according to Eureka Recycling.
• Each year the first wish is given to Earth Day’s firstborn in St. Paul. The first wish for Earth Day 2007 was made by Senait Hadera for her baby son Remon:
  Lucky Baby!
  God give us peace for the world.
  Lucky Baby is born.
  Peace for everyone, peace for the world.
  Amen.
  

Contact:
Vonda Vaden, co-producer
wishesforthesky@gmail.com
612-247-1448