Passers by noticed an eruption of color today on the corner of 48th and Prescott as a new sculpture—a brightly decorated lightbulb—arrived in front of the Carnegie Building on the campus of Union College.
The artwork, entitled “Let There Be Light!” is part of the Illuminating Lincoln: Lighthouse project developed by Lighthouse, a local organization that provides after-school programs for kids. According to the organization’s website, the project is modeled after the Cows on Parade in Chicago and Tour de Lincoln, and commemorates Lighthouse’s 25th anniversary.
Created by local artist Lynn Wilson, “Let There Be Light” was one of 68 selected proposals available to be sponsored through a $3000 tax-deductible donation to the Lighthouse. Judy and Ross Wilcox chose to sponsor Wilson’s design that landed on Union’s campus.
Wilson found inspiration for her art in the biblical account of creation in Genesis 1. “It boggles my mind thinking about the first light in that dark, formless void,” she explained. “Imagine the eruption of color! As I worked on my design, I tried several different ways to show the creation of light, but I settled on showing the spectrum of color bursting out over the universe! My design captures the separation of darkness and light and the creation of color … and what better than a light bulb to represent that first illumination?”
Using a tissue decoupage technique and acrylic paint, Wilson covered the light bulb sculpture in bright, firework-like explosions of color on a dark field.
Recently retired from 30 years as a high school art teacher (she taught other subjects, too) in Wahoo and Lincoln, Wilson has turned most of her attention to art. She saw the light bulb project as “the perfect transition to keep me motivated to use my God-given creativity.”
She particularly enjoys creating mosaics from broken plates and tiles and has begun experimenting with other materials as well. “I have Parkinson’s, so it took awhile to adjust to a different style and a change in media, but I have been really loving working on mosaics,” Wilson said. “I have a strong faith and many of my works are inspired by Scripture.”
The Illuminating Lincoln: Lighthouse project will be on display throughout Lincoln from May to September.
By Ryan Teller, director of public relations