Sending Love aka Skywalk Memorial Sculpture
Owner: Skywalk Memorial Foundation
Artist: Rita Blitt
Fabricator: A. Zahner Company
Installed: 2015
Dedicated: November 12, 2015
Medium: Stainless Steel
Description:
This sculpture by award-winning Kansas City artist Rita Blitt is the focal point of the Skywalk Memorial Plaza. The Memorial is for the 114 people who lost their lives when the skywalks in the Hyatt Regency hotel collapsed on July 17, 1981. It also recognizes the emergency and medical personel, firefighters, police officers and others who responded to the disaster.
When the skywalks collapsed, a big band dance contest, called The Tea Dance, was in progress. "Sending Love" evokes the spirit of two people dancing and also a broken heart at the tragic loss of life. The names of those who were lost are etched into the base of the sculpture.
It took over 10 years to raise the money for the creation and maintenance of the Memorial. There were over 300 donors of money or in-kind contributions to the Skywalk Memorial Foundation. The Memorial is located across the street from the former Hyatt Regency, which is now a Sheraton hotel. Over 200 people attended the dedication ceremony.
