Porter-Gaud Art in the 9/11 Memorial Museum by Brink Norton, Director of Communications
September 11, 2001, changed the lives of every American. Millions were glued to their televisions watching surreal images of the events of the day. In the aftermath, an outpouring of love and support for those directly affected by the terrorist attacks came in many ways. The Porter-Gaud Lower School students responded to the tragedy by painting a banner with the help of the Lower School art teacher, Laura Orvin. The students used this banner as a vehicle to offer hope and comfort to the people of New York City. The entire Lower School (grades 1-5) worked on the banner. The older students drew pictures that were enlarged onto the canvas. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders painted the images with Mrs. Orvin’s help, and the 1st and 2nd graders painted inside the hearts located on the banner’s border. Mrs. Orvin heard that the 4th graders wrote letters in their English class to the first responders, so some of the messages were transferred to the banner. “This was a Lower School gift for the people of New York to show our love, prayers and support,” said Mrs. Orvin. Once completed, the banner was sent to New York, where it hung for many months at the Pier 94 Family Assistance Center in New York City, a place where those who lost loved ones went to seek comfort. Once all memorials were removed, the whereabouts of the banner was unknown. It was feared to be lost in the shuffle with the thousands of other offerings from around the world. Porter-Gaud was notified a few years ago that this banner was rolled up, put in a closet, and rediscovered years later. The banner was chosen to be
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displayed at the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. The Lower School Students who worked on the banner are now alumni, some of whom have visited the museum to see the banner. It is such an honor that our students’ expression of love from so long ago is now being used to honor the memory of those who lost so much on that day. For more information about the 9/11 memorial and museum, visit 911memorial.org.
Thomas Kelly ‘10 stands in front of the banner he helped create