Artwork celebrates the life of beloved chamber employee – Southernminn.com

The small blue and turquoise pieces of the Cannon River wind along the west exterior wall of Faribaults Chamber of Commerce.

Nearby, a grove of trees in shades of green stand at attention and a cluster of daisies is tickled by an oversize hummingbird buzzing overhead. Piece by piece, section by section, Caron Bell affixes the colorful segments of tile to the backing board, made specifically to withstand the weather. With each step up the ladder, the design comes more clearly into focus.

The 5-foot-6 mosaic, which celebrates the life of former Chamber Marketing Director Barb Larson, came from images of the Cannon and the areas wildflowers, said Bell, a Minneapolis artist whose proposal was selected over nine others. Bell said she wanted a design that was reflective of the city and of Larson, a beloved Faribaulter who was killed last December at the chamber office by her ex-husband in a murder-suicide that shocked the community.

It was something Im truly connected to, said Bell. So it didnt feel like work.

Bell, who lost her father, younger brother and longtime boyfriend within a three-year span, said she immediately felt drawn to the project. Grief counseling, she said, taught her that nothing will ever fully take away the sadness that those type of losses bring.

Theres always going to be this hole. Its how we fill it. Why not fill it with goodness, love and kindness? I knew I was going to be picked, she said of her selection, laughing off her prescience.

As Bell, Chamber staff, and Larsons sisters and sons worked to hone the design, the artist wanted to use colors Larson favored and incorporated six words that describe Larson and the Faribault community: welcoming, friendly, beautiful, strong, hopeful and passionate. Those words are embossed in many of the tiles, made specifically for the project by a Minneapolis tile maker.

Barbs son, Erik Larson, who checked on the installation Saturday morning, said he was especially taken with those tiles, and others from Portugal and Italy. The words and the tiles origin truly reflected his mom, her personality and her love of travel, he said.

Watching Bell complete the piece, Erik Larson said he thought how beautiful it was and how beautiful my mom was on the inside and out.

Bell said the project took about two months start to finish.

It follows a remodel of the Chamber lobby where the Larsons died. Its now an open space filled with vivid hues deep turquoise and orange that reach skyward. Chamber President Kymn Anderson, who points out the remodeling was paid for by several local businesses, says a second piece of art honoring Barb Larson will soon grace the lobby. This one, a textile, will be completed by Northfield artist Judy Saye-Willis.

Saye-Willis, a friend of Larsons, shed her initial grief by dying fabrics using deep, dark tones, said Anderson. But as she moved through the shock, the colors became brighter. She ended, Anderson said, by using a turquoise dye on a creamy silk that will be used to create the finished piece, Hope.

The connection to Larson, for mosaic artist Bell, didnt end once the design was set.

During the process, I felt there was motivation because of (Barb) and I could feel her presence, said Bell, noting how the synchronicity would give her chills.

Kymn needs this, she said of Anderson, the community needs this.

Erik Larson said, he, too, has experienced a measure of healing from the artwork and what it represents.

It feels good that the community wants to do this for her, he said. I just cant get over how helpful the community has been. Its home.

Reach Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134. Follow her on Twitter @rooksuzy

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Artwork celebrates the life of beloved chamber employee - Southernminn.com