In everyday life, they’re moms, dads, sons and daughters, but 21 Clark County residents are also models featured in “Of Thee, I Sing,” a public art installation that invites people to a new understanding of the past and a vision for the future.

The models were honored at a dinner and presented a print of the artwork in which they modeled Thursday.

The dinner was at the Opera House Gallery and catered by Lomas.

“Of Thee, I Sing” is  inspired by the story of a Clark County mother and son who were enslaved in the 1800s. The hope is for people to shift the way they see each other, to a sense of shared humanity.

The community is invited to attend an open house to meet artist Marjorie Guyon, photographer Patrick J. Mitchell and several models this weekend.

The community open house and meet and greet is from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Opera House Gallery, 101 S. Main St.

“We are honored to showcase an exhibit of this magnitude and with such powerful artworks at the Opera House Gallery,” said Vanessa Ziembroski, Opera House Gallery owner. “This show is uniting the community and we are proud to help keep that momentum moving forward. We hope everyone will come see the artworks and talk with the artists and models about their experience and how this art installation can help us come together.”

Light refreshments will be served at the open house. Ziembroski is sponsoring the dinner and open house.

“Of Thee, I Sing” will be on display at the Opera House Gallery through December.

Following, each original will be replicated and installed in locations throughout Clark County in 2020.

The art exhibit was made possible through a partnership with The Greater Clark Foundation, Clark County Community Foundation, Guyon and Mitchell.

For more information, visit ClarkAmbition.org.