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'Being the light:' Second human luminaria event at Loomiller Park will pay tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.

“We’re hoping to pay homage to the year that’s passed, the lessons we’ve learned, and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King by not only showing but being the light coming out of the darkness,” said LeftHand Artist Group board member Amy Heneghan.
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Participants gather on Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, for LeftHand Artist Group's human luminaria art installation. (Photo by Matt Maenpaa)

In need of some peace, quiet, reflection and hope? You might find it Sunday in the early dusk of Loomiller Park.

The LeftHand Artist Group is gathering around the pond in park to create a follow-up to its holiday season human luminaria living art installation along Main Street in Old Town.  

The next live installation, Lanterns Around Loomiller, is set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. As the name suggests, it will take place in the park at  1700 11th Ave., near Longmont High School.

Amy Heneghan, a board member of LeftHand Artist Group, was inspired to create the event as a follow-up to the Dec. 12 event and to allow anyone not able to attend in December the chance to experience a human luminaria. 

“We’re hoping to pay homage to the year that’s passed, the lessons we’ve learned, and to honor Dr. Martin Luther King by not only showing but being the light coming out of the darkness,” she said. “I’m excited about the event. I hope it will be the first of many to honor Martin Luther King."

In post to the Leader’s online calendar, the group provided some background on why it believes the event is needed: “Fellow creatives, this past year has been interesting and different. It has brought forth many challenges for all of us. We in the LeftHand Artist Group are still thinking about the many ways that we can still be together and participate in activities as a community.”

Heneghan plans to gather the group at the park’s bridge between the smaller and larger parts of the pond, in hopes the lantern light reflects off the water. Attendees are asked to wear warm clothes and a mask, and to arrive 15 minutes early. Families are welcome.

The Dec. 12 Main Street event can give potential attendees an idea of what to expect at the lantern lighting. For that event, approximately 40 people of all ages stood for an hour in frosty temperatures to honor both first responders and those whose lives had been lost to COVID-19. The group stood as individuals or within family groups. Each person or group was spaced at least 6 feet apart to maintain social distancing.

December’s participants made lanterns from a variety of easy-to access materials. Some cut intricate designs into paper shopping bags with handles, others purchased paper lanterns at craft stores or cut designs into paper grocery store sacks. Participants used battery-operated Christmas lights, votive candles and flashlights to illuminate their creations.  

Though it is an art installation, the amount of art each person contributes to the project can be based on their time, skill, and inspiration. Some lanterns used previously had many light openings, while others had a few that were strategically placed. Some cutouts were free hand, while others used shaped hole punchers found at craft stores.

To participate in Sunday’s event, attendees are asked to create a large luminaria they can hold by hand.

Questions about the event can be asked on the LeftHand Artist Group’s Facebook page.