From the J. Doe Project brochure, Larry Ferguson, photographer
Every piece of art has a story. Public art never begins and ends with the artist, it is a part of the story of the community; its past, present, and future.
Yesterday, I found out that one of my favorite people in the Omaha arts community passed away. Eddith Buis was a powerhouse. In 2001, she spearheaded the J. Doe Project. It was a public art project that brought the Omaha art community together. Each artist created an artistic interpretation of the J. Doe sculpture and all of them were then installed throughout the city. I had just launched into my art practice and was so excited to get juried in.
A statement from Eddith Buis about the J. Doe Project.
One of the most innovative parts of the J. Doe Project was how funding was distributed. Each sculpture was auctioned off and a third of the proceeds went to the artist, a third went to fund a charity, the last third creating a public art fund for two future Omaha public art projects.
Leslie’s J. Doe Proposal, 2001
In 2002, I applied for one of those projects and won! Sounding Stones was created from the J. Doe Project funding, and I have always been deeply grateful for the J. Doe Artists and the community that got behind public art and their local artists. It was exhilarating to see the artist community grow stronger and more connected with each project she started and advocated for. Eddith instilled this community spirit, it was the fabric of how she approached each new public art project, her teaching, and her own artistic practice. She became a dear friend, and I am a better artist and person because of her.
With that said, Omaha and Nebraska have Eddith’s legacy to continue. So many artists grew and launched collaborations for a lifetime because of her enthusiasm and tireless arts advocacy.
Thank you Eddith, these words are not enough.
Leslie’s J. Doe Chrysalis in the Dundee neighborhood.
Installing Sounding Stones at Turner Park, 2004
Sounding Stones ribbon cutting, 2004. Eddith is holding her red hat in the background.
I also had quite a situation when the Sounding Stones were relocated from the redeveloping of Turner Park to Elmwood Park. This is a crumply copy of the editorial, but I found so much support and love from Eddith that I must include it here. Try to decipher if you can!
