Rodica Gelca Public Art Memorial
Donation protected
On March 26, 2018, 45-year old Dr. Rodica Gelca was leaning over her fence at 2908 21st Street in Lubbock, Texas, holding a small garden hose attempting to keep a growing fire in the neighboring yard under control as she and her husband, Dr. Razvan Gelca, waited for the fire department to arrive. Tragically and unexpectedly, the fire ignited a massive explosion before the fire department could arrive on scene, causing Rodica to be struck by debris, her wounds proving to be fatal.
In response, The 2018 Tech Terrace Public Art Committee has been created to fundraise $100,000 so that an artist from Texas or New Mexico can create a piece of durable public art to be placed within Tech Terrace Park that will memorialize not only Rodica but also the great love that Razvan had for her as well what we, her neighbors, feel about loosing our good friend in this way. It is our belief that a public art memorial will ensure that the history and outcome of this tragedy will become a permanent part of the story of Tech Terrace, both for the loss it entailed as well as for the power of community support and cohesion that it engendered.
Once our minimum threshold of $20,000 has been reached, we will put out the call for public art submissions. We will be working closely with Emily Wilkinson, Director for Public Art at TTU to ensure our campaign runs smoothly.
All of the funds for this project will be privately generated and accounted for through GoFundMe as well as an account at a local bank that will be available for public inquiry. The monies raised through this campaign will be used to cover the many costs associated with commissioning and creating this piece of public art.
Once the minimum target of $20,000 has been reached, and we are able to post the official Request for Qualifications, we anticipate that this project will be completed within one year.
All applicable permissions for commissioning and placing this public art have been obtained.
The amount of support, advice, assistance and pure kindness that this project has created is beyond words. Many thanks to Mayor Dan Pope, President Lawrence Schovanec, Emily Wilkinson, Brooke Witcher, Bridget Faulkenberry and the many, many others who have contributed to this project.
In response, The 2018 Tech Terrace Public Art Committee has been created to fundraise $100,000 so that an artist from Texas or New Mexico can create a piece of durable public art to be placed within Tech Terrace Park that will memorialize not only Rodica but also the great love that Razvan had for her as well what we, her neighbors, feel about loosing our good friend in this way. It is our belief that a public art memorial will ensure that the history and outcome of this tragedy will become a permanent part of the story of Tech Terrace, both for the loss it entailed as well as for the power of community support and cohesion that it engendered.
Once our minimum threshold of $20,000 has been reached, we will put out the call for public art submissions. We will be working closely with Emily Wilkinson, Director for Public Art at TTU to ensure our campaign runs smoothly.
All of the funds for this project will be privately generated and accounted for through GoFundMe as well as an account at a local bank that will be available for public inquiry. The monies raised through this campaign will be used to cover the many costs associated with commissioning and creating this piece of public art.
Once the minimum target of $20,000 has been reached, and we are able to post the official Request for Qualifications, we anticipate that this project will be completed within one year.
All applicable permissions for commissioning and placing this public art have been obtained.
The amount of support, advice, assistance and pure kindness that this project has created is beyond words. Many thanks to Mayor Dan Pope, President Lawrence Schovanec, Emily Wilkinson, Brooke Witcher, Bridget Faulkenberry and the many, many others who have contributed to this project.
Organizer and beneficiary
Margaret Williams
Organizer
Lubbock, TX
Razvan Gelca
Beneficiary
