By Tara D Sauvain

Tara is in her 30th year of teaching middle school art in District 11. Her experimental approach continuously fuels her creativity and drives her to explore many diverse art mediums as she aims to balance her role as a full-time teacher with her passion for remaining a practicing artist.

Her journey with Wings of Change began as a tribute to her father's struggle with Parkinson's Disease, leading her to create the butterfly piece "Living with the Parking Brake On." When he passed, Tara and her family sat with him, sharing stories as a sunbeam slowly traveled down his body, allowing them time to adjust to his death and facilitating a gentle transition.

Following her father's passing, she found inspiration to create a Dragonfly sculpture for Wings of Change while surrounded by dragonflies at his butterfly monument. The symbolism in "Soulfly" reflects themes of change, letting go, and personal interpretation, inspired by the beauty and uniqueness of dragonfly wings. "Soulfly" was born through this exploration, emphasizing the importance of diversity and individuality. The intricate patterns of dragonfly wings, resembling the reflections of a disco ball, highlight the appeal of diverse interpretations, echoing themes of transition and individuality in her artistic journey.