Artwork copyright Kelly O'Dell. Photo courtesy of the artist, by Nathan J. Shaulis, 2020.

Artwork copyright Kelly O'Dell. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Alan Ayers of Make Northwest, 2020.

Artwork copyright Kelly O'Dell. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Alan Ayers of Make Northwest, 2020.

Hope, 2018

Kelly O'Dell
(American, born 1973)

Location: Harriet Rowley Elementary, Mount Vernon

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Hope by artist Kelly O’Dell is a mirror mosaic. The elephant might remind us of characters like Babar, Dumbo, Horton, and Snuffeluffagus from our childhood. We were taught that elephants are huge but afraid of mice, and have an amazing memory. As we grow up, we learn that they are gentle giants, intelligent, wise and magnificent, matriarchal, and endangered co-inhabitants of our earth. O’Dell notes “Seeing one's self in a reflection of an elephant might mean, for a young viewer, a dream, a journey, an adventure in a story of their own. Hope becomes all those reflected, inspiring hope in one's self.”

This artwork is part of a curated collection by Kathleen Garrett at Harriet Rowley Elementary School, in Mount Vernon, Northwestern Washington. The local art selection committee wanted these artworks to reflect the local landscape and the spirit of adventure and possibility of Harriet Rowley, the school’s namesake. “Mother Rowley” (1880-1965) was a nurse from Ohio who opened the first hospital in Mount Vernon in 1920. She is remembered for her indomitable spirit and her desire to help others.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Mount Vernon School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Lopez Island-based artist Kelly O'Dell creates glass artworks. Her work explore themes of memento mori (an object serving as a warning or reminder of death), as well as extinction, preservation, and origin. O'Dell's father had a glass studio in her childhood home in Hawai'i.
O'Dell earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She has taught at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, Northwestern Washington, and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle.