Design & Creativity
collaboration
precision
Craftsmanship
about this project
Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Gera, Germany, have proudly maintained a sister city relationship for over 30 years! This partnership, which began in 1992, was inspired by the substantial population of residents with German ancestry in Fort Wayne. Throughout the years, there have been countless cultural exchanges, featuring visits by artists, musicians, government officials, and students.
Among the noteworthy events are Germanfest in Fort Wayne and Hohlerfest in Gera, both of which celebrate their shared cultural heritage. Additionally, this relationship has fostered educational opportunities, such as the Chapman Scholarship, allowing students from Gera to study in Fort Wayne.
In September 2022, members of the German Heritage Society traveled to Gera to meet with Mayor Kurt Dannenberg and former Mayor Ralf Rauch, among other dignitaries, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Gera and Fort Wayne.
We were honored with the task of creating a unique gift to commemorate this milestone. Collaborating closely with GHS member Robert Anweiller, we conceived a large wooden puzzle, crafted from a collage of photographs taken over the years. Each puzzle piece featured a section of the larger image, covered with epoxy for protection. On the back of each piece, we engraved the name of a member as a keepsake.
Additionally, we presented the mayor with a beautifully framed collage, with the names of both cities intricately carved into the frame and also covered in epoxy. The back of the frame bore the inscription: "We are all a part of this journey made up of so many memories; without each of us, something would be missing and we would not be complete." This thoughtful message connected the framed picture to the individual puzzle pieces.
Despite the tight deadline, we worked diligently to complete this project in time for the celebration. Given that we had only one photograph to work with, precision was crucial when cutting the image to fit the puzzle pieces. We take immense pride in this project, both in its execution and in the positive reception it received from the attendees.
The Process...
The Finished Product!
