Erin Mariea Themann's China Art Show

My daughter, Erin Mariea Themann is an art major at SUNY @ Stony Brook, Long Island, New York. She has taken many art courses over the years including two sculpture classes. It was in her second sculpture class that she was given the assignment that would depict Resilience. After a lot of consideration she thought about the soldiers who were coming home from war, particularly those coming home missing limbs. Watching the Olympics and seeing an athlete run with two prosthetic legs and knowing he lost his legs in the war is a remarkable show of resilience which left a lasting effect on Erin. With this image in the back of her mind she decided to sculpt a cheetah leg. Erin titled her sculpture "Resilience of the American War Hero". Her art work, and many others', was critiqued by the entire art department. Erin's art work and the art work of 14 other students, has been chosen to be displayed in the Resilience Art Show. My daughter's name and art work will travel half way around the world to China where the Resilience Art Show will be held on October 20, 2013. This is an enormous honor and recognition of her talent. Stony Brook is sending her art work to China and she will be able to accompany her piece if she pays her own way. As a parent I want her to accomplish her goal but as a single mother l financially am unable to do this. Stony Brook suggested that the students who can not afford the costs of the trip should do some fundraisers. If any of you would like to contribute to Erin's travel fund, donations can be made to Erin Mariea Themann.
Erin has grown up in a single parent family since she has been 6 months old. Her father chose to be an absentee parent both financially, physically and emotionally. Children who come from single parent households are at risk of failure. Erin exceeded all expectations. She graduated high school with an advanced Regents degree, she also was inducted in the National Honor Society, Italian and French Honor Societies and the Art Honor Society. At Suffolk County Community College she graduated Phi Theta Kappa and received the top scholarship in SCCC's art show. Erin, herself, is a true example of resilience.
It would also be a dream come true to me to travel with her. To see my daughter honored would be the greatest dream of mine.

This is what Erin wrote that will be displayed with her sculpture:
"What do you think of when the term 'resilience' comes up? For me, it is people who have had great tragedies occur to them such as losing a limb and overcoming that tragedy in one way or another. Then when I think of that I start thinking about the men and women who join the U.S. military and give up their lives to defend our country. These men and women are true heroes, some sacrifice their lives so we can have our freedoms. Some come home with injuries, if they come home at all.
When soldiers come home from war they have to assimilate to the civilian way of life. This feat, in and of itself, is quite difficult as it is but coming home not in one piece is ten times harder. Coming home with one or ...multiple limbs missing has not only physical but mental and emotional issues as well. When people are faced with life altering tragedies like this they can either let it defeat them or rise above it and defeat it. This to me is a perfect definition of "resilience."
I wanted to create something that could stir many emotions, that of sorrow and of pride. It's horrible what happens to these soldiers but it's also extremely heartwarming to see how resilient they can be. I believe making a prosthetic leg will show great human resilience."

The picture shows what the sculpture looks like but it doesn't show how large it is. It is actually 2 feet tall.

Please visit my Facebook page ChristineMarieaThemann to view better pictures of Erin's Sculpture as well as more of her art. Click on the album "Erin's Masterpieces