Vandals damage ‘Pathway to Renewal’ before 10-year anniversary celebration

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Marsi Darwin and Lorin Kummer for the information in this story.)

Vandalism has marred the 10-year anniversary celebration for the Pathway to Renewal mosaic art piece.

Although the event will still take place in on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 1-3 p.m., its designer Lorin Kummer says that although vandalism has taken place in the past, “This time there is damage to 18 of the 19 panels – about 1/3 of the surface area was damaged.”

“The type of damage that occurred this time to the Pathway broke through to the cement area and exposed surface area that it will allow water to enter under the piece during the fall rains and during the winter snow and freeze season,” she says.

“The timing of this damage and the crucial areas that were targeted have put the entire piece in jeopardy,” Kummer says.

At first glance, she says, it might not look that bad, but those who have seen the work it takes to repair this piece, time after time, year after year because of intentional damage, understand the extent.

“Vandalism like we’ve never seen before occurred sometime last week and we are now facing the final destruction of the art piece,” says Marsi Darwin.

Since no one owns the piece, and since so many people worked on its fabrication, “who is willing to take it on for the perpetual maintenance it needs every year?” Kummer asks.

“We have given as much as we are able to give to keep the mosaic’s integrity,” she says, adding, “We have kept the gardens, repaired and cleaned the mosaic at least twice a year, created and keep the brick work, the table, chairs and the seating area,” the artist says of the work she and her husband have done.

She says, “We’ve run out of ideas of how to keep the piece intact. The cost of all this has been borne by my husband and myself, except for a small lovely grant from the Chelsea Garden Club, a few years ago, to help in the garden area.”

After this last act of vandalism, she says, “We are out of ideas and energy, out of time and season for correct repair. We want to help all those who care about the piece to love it, remember its creation and what it meant to them and then let it go.”

She said, “The project — from installation till today — has taught me much about perseverance, love and compassion. It taught me how to let go and to listen to the quiet voice of the Spirit inside of my own heart. My husband, Joe and I, and a handful of friends, have tried to keep the mosaic repaired out of respect for the work of those who honored their lost loved one there and to those who worked so hard on it.”

The mosaic survived all that Michigan winters and springs had to throw at it. “What we did not factor in was that the worst damage would come not from those elements, but from over 30 separate savage acts of vandalism over the last decade.

“We spent over 80 hours per year caring for this work, getting it ready for special events, a wedding, several engagements, international visitors and many visits by those who loved it and had worked to create it,” Kummer said.

“After the shock and sadness of seeing this noble piece so savagely destroyed, I realized it was our job to help everyone involved to move forward and let go. That was the reason for the Pathway to Renewal mosaic from its inception,” she said.

On Saturday, she hopes the community will come together “to celebrate and remember its creation. Together, we will mourn its passing and together we will let it go.”