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Some wore festival-themed orange and black tank tops proudly proclaiming “survivor.” Others displayed ribbons that were pinned to their chests in memory of a family member lost one year ago.
But between the tears, hugs and countless words of encouragement, many of the dozens in attendance for an art exhibit highlighting the 58 casualties of the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Strip spoke of resiliency and strength.
“We have to live through this every day, but we’ve become stronger,” said Angelica Cervantes, mother of slain festival security guard Erick Silva. “We know they’ve been looking down and taking care of us.”
Cervantes was among family and relatives of the 58 to receive a portrait of a lost loved one as part of the “Beautiful Lives Lost Art Exhibit” Sunday following a public display of the portraits at the JW Marriott Las Vegas. The images were individually designed by 58 different artists from Washington and Oregon. It is one of many events this weekend and Monday in remembrance of the tragedy.
Silva, only 20-years-old, was credited with ushering festivalgoers over a stageside barricade to shield them from gunfire. His portrait, designed by Portland-based painter Bonnie Meltzer, depicted his heroism with an illustration of the former security guard gazing above into the distance wearing his Contemporary Services Corporation uniform. Next to Silva’s face, the phrase “Saved 7” was written over a United States flag-themed background, with an outline of the 48 continental states and a detailed map of Nevada.
Tears streamed down Cervantes’ face as she described calling her son’s cell phone one year ago and never getting a response. But she takes pride in Silva’s legacy, she said, because he died serving others. The portrait represents his heroic actions and both the country and state he proudly called home.
“He loved people and he ultimately gave his life for others,” Cervantes said. “His example makes me proud and it has helped me to keep going as this year has passed.”
Portland-based painter Quin Sweetman brought the 58 artists together for the project via social media in the wake of last year’s tragedy. Sweetman said the portraits on display Sunday — which took months to craft and could sell for hundreds of dollars — were designed as a way to emphasize each of the 58 festival attendees’ individual qualities.
For example, a portrait of Rhonda LeRocque shows the Massachusetts mother smiling with her daughter in her arms as 6-year-old Ali kissed LeRocque on the cheek. Oregon-based artist Coralee Popp,said she factored the mother’s love for her only child and numerous service-based missions to natural disaster-torn areas in Florida, Louisiana and Jamaica as her motivation for her illustration.
“I brought together best portrait artists I knew to manifest these peoples’ beauty and kindness,” Sweetman said. “We wanted the families to know they’re in our hearts.”
Standing in front of Sweetman’s painting of slain Metro Police officer Charleston Hartfield, his widow, Veronica, stood with her lips pressed tightly together. The couple’s son, Isaiah, and daughter, Savannah, stood on either side of her. The wife of the 34-year-old former cop uttered words of gratitude when she was first introduced to the painting.
“Absolutely beautiful,” Veronica Hartfield said.
Las Vegan Tracy Shipp lost her sister, Laura Shipp, in the massacre, and said the last year has been “incredibly difficult.” Shipp, wearing a ribbon pinned to a Los Angeles Dodgers shirt Sunday in honor of her and her sister’s favorite baseball team, said she still cries each day when thinking about Laura.
Corey Shipp, Laura Shipp’s son who was with her at the concert, could not bring himself to attend the event, Tracy Shipp said. But having a simple portrait for her to share with the family, was a “touching” tribute.
“I think it’s a beautiful picture and I love it,” Shipp said of the 10-by-8 inch oil pastel of her smiling sister. “We’ve appreciated all that has been done for us.”