Alan's Odd Duck

This brand new art piece in Acacia Park, called "Alan's Odd Duck", has a cheerful presence and a sad back story. According to THIS article in the Colorado Springs Independent, it was created from a drawing by a boy named Alan Mahaffey who was tragically killed in a car accident. The drawing was made when Alan was six years old (though I'm not clear on how old he was when he passed away.) According to their Facebook page, "The hope for this project is that a young person, perhaps believing himself odd and unaccepted - can be reminded that being unique is a good and wonderful thing and that parents, struggling with the difficulty of loss and grief of a child – or despair over parenting a difficult child, when looking at the piece - might embrace and remember a joyful moment with their odd but beautiful son or daughter."

I love how a child's simple drawing can come to life as a colorful and funky piece of three-dimensional, purposeful art like this. I think it's a joyful remembrance of Alan, and it will certainly become a beloved part of Acacia Park.