The HiIler/Ratner Mosaic is Complete
FUUN is pleased to announce the installation of the Hiller/Ratner mosaic. It is located on the wall left of the fellowship hall door. The mosaic was created by Sherry Hunter and commissioned by the FUUN Endowment Fund. It is portable and can be relocated.
Dedication Ceremony Video.
The dedication took place on Saturday, July 17, at the church grounds. Speakers included Sherri Hunter, who created the lovely mosaic, and some of Aaron Hiller’s and Hilda Ratner’s friends. Special thanks to Trigg for video-taping and editing.
The Story
For those of you who don’t how this artwork came into being, here is the story:
Hilda Ratner was working towards having a piece of artwork commissioned in honor of her husband, my father, Aaron Hiller after his passing in 1997. She specifically requested that it be located on that wall. Unfortunately, in 1998, Hilda was afflicted with a debilitating stroke which severely limited her speech and mobility. Plans for the artwork remained on hold as Hilda focused on her own rehabilitation. With her passing in 2016, Hilda left the church a significant financial gift; even though she didn’t specify that a portion of the gift be used to fund the artwork, many felt that using some of money to fulfill her dream was appropriate and that the art should honor both Aaron and Hilda for their many years of devotion and service to FUUN.
The mosaic celebrates Hilda’s love of scientific reasoning and Aaron’s passion as a staunch humanist and includes symbols of things they held dear in their hearts: In the center of the mosaic is a UU chalice, resting on books that inspired them; Inside the flame is the humanist symbol; In the background are the green hills for which the area of town the church is located in is named for and where Hilda lived for much of her adult life. The mosaic also includes DNA strands in the sky and images of nature including hemlock leaves because they were both long time members of the Hemlock Society.
A special thanks to the following who worked together to make this happen: Kathy Bryant, John Harkey, Brenda Stein, and the FUUN Endowment Committee.
–Dan Hiller
Member and Facilities Council Chair
