What's The Story Of The Mourning Glory Project?
It's hard to say when these things get started.
It could've been eight years ago, when Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia cared for Blane Sage's Papaw during his final days.
Or maybe it was a Christmas ago, when Blane was asked by a friend to draw a picture as part of a present. Turns out that picture was for a late family member. The response he received, in the form of a card and handwritten note, taught him that his passion for art can reach people in surprising and profound ways. He began to understand that art can help with the healing process and bring beauty to a troubled and sometimes ugly world.
Shortly afterward, Blane created another piece, this one of his great-great-aunt as a young woman. After the funeral, he received another card and handwritten note that re-inforced those same lessons.
Somewhere in there, the Mourning Glory Project was born.
Blane contacted the hospice that had cared for his grandfather with the idea of serving families who have lost a loved one in hopes that his art could help with the healing process.
The project aids with the grieving process by providing a free, one-of-a-kind pastel portrait, framed and ready to hang, to selected families served by Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia.
Please take a moment to browse Blane's art work and, if you aren't aware, familiarize yourself with hospice's mission and services.
It could've been eight years ago, when Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia cared for Blane Sage's Papaw during his final days.
Or maybe it was a Christmas ago, when Blane was asked by a friend to draw a picture as part of a present. Turns out that picture was for a late family member. The response he received, in the form of a card and handwritten note, taught him that his passion for art can reach people in surprising and profound ways. He began to understand that art can help with the healing process and bring beauty to a troubled and sometimes ugly world.
Shortly afterward, Blane created another piece, this one of his great-great-aunt as a young woman. After the funeral, he received another card and handwritten note that re-inforced those same lessons.
Somewhere in there, the Mourning Glory Project was born.
Blane contacted the hospice that had cared for his grandfather with the idea of serving families who have lost a loved one in hopes that his art could help with the healing process.
The project aids with the grieving process by providing a free, one-of-a-kind pastel portrait, framed and ready to hang, to selected families served by Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia.
Please take a moment to browse Blane's art work and, if you aren't aware, familiarize yourself with hospice's mission and services.
Mission Statement
The Mourning Glory Project was launched by UVA Wise senior Blane Sage. The art project hopes to help families with the grieving process by providing pieces of art to honor and memorialize their loved ones. Free, one-of-a-kind oil pastel portraits are donated to families through the help of Wythe Hospice of Southwest Virginia. Blane became aware of hospice and the work they do when the organization provided care for his Papaw during his final days in 2012. The Mourning Glory Project is his way to add beauty to the world, raise awareness of hospice services and provide a lasting memory of those who are gone but not forgotten.