Following the death of friend to liver failure, artist Candy Chang went through a long period of grief and depression. During that time, she grappled with questions about dying, how she wanted to live her life and maintaining perspective amid daily routine. Curious to know if others felt the same, Chang created a public art exhibit in 2011 and began a conversation that continues today.
Chang painted the side of an abandoned house in her New Orleans neighborhood with chalk board paint and added a simple message: “Before I Die I Want To…” It was an invitation to pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on life, and share personal aspirations in a public space.
The response was overwhelming…sing for millions, see my daughter graduate, abandon all insecurities, straddle the International Date Line, see the leaves change many times, be someone’s cavalry, hold her one more time, be completely myself…
Since then, more than 2,000 “Before I Die” walls have been created in more than 70 countries around the world. In honor of the 10th anniversary of Solvay Hospice House, the Miller-Dwan Foundation invites you to join the conversation at a free community event Thursday, October 12 at Northland Country Club in Duluth.
