Phoenix Rising
The Phoenix Rising installation is a permanent reminder of how Waterbury, as a community, found new life through adversity.
Tropical Storm Irene crashed into Waterbury in 2011 and left unimaginable devastation in its wake. Businesses were destroyed, lives were upended, and the town’s infrastructure was decimated. Waterbury residents banded together to help their neighbors—shoveling flooded basements and providing clothes and food to those who had lost so much. It was a difficult, frightening time but the community came through it stronger and closer than before.
On the tenth anniversary of that memorable day, Waterbury Arts celebrated the community’s resilience with a two-story depiction of a phoenix, the mythical bird that repeatedly rose from its own ashes.
The Artwork
The public art piece measures approximately 22’ high by 21’ wide and was designed by former Waterbury resident Jessi Zawicki. Her whimsical and colorful portrayal of the imaginary bird was the winner of a public design competition in 2019.
The Inspiration
Just months after the 2011 flood, Waterbury held its traditional River of Light Lantern Parade through the still-damaged village. Leading the river of golden lights and bundled neighbors was an enormous paper lantern Phoenix, an apt symbol of the community's resilience.
Great press along the journey from concept to completion can be found here:
Channel 5 News piece by Liz Strzepa
Article in the Waterbury Roundabout
An incredible video by Steven Tanzi, the Digital Media Specialist at Radio Vermont