Innocence Lost

Last year, after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I was led to create this artwork to honor the memory of the 17 beautiful souls taken from this world far too soon.
For the families, My artwork began as a cathartic process, with sadness, anger and heartache~ as a mother, I could only imagine what you were going through. The darkness of this senseless tragedy overwhelmed me with unspeakable words and feelings. My original artwork design included a black frame to hold in the depths of sadness.

As I progressed along however, I began to feel a parental sense of loving care, desire and responsibility to uplift and exalt each and every soul, every heart and give them a lasting memory of beauty, which they SO deserve. I now saw the artwork being framed in gilded gold, to enshrine the hearts being cradled by the dove of peace, representing hope, courage and eternal love.

I hope my artwork brings you comfort in knowing that you are not alone. I am just one ‘stranger’, one mom, one artist, so deeply moved that I was led to create a lasting memory out of respect for you, your families, and your lost loved ones. They have not been taken in vain. Without personally knowing them, they have made a life altering impact on me. I am changed forever, for the better, because of them.

With an artist’s heart and a Mother’s love,

~Lynn Sposito

Alyssa Alhadeff, 14

Alaina Petty, 14

Cara Loughran, 14

Gina Montalto, 14

Jaime Guttenberg, 14

Martin Duque Anguiano, 14

Alex Schachter, 14

Peter Wang, 15

Luke Hoyer, 15

Carmen Schentrup, 16

Nicholas Dworet, 17

Joaquin Oliver, 17

Helena Ramsay, 17

Meadow Pollack, 18

Scott Beigel, 35

Aaron Feis, 37

Chris Hixon, 49