Local artist Paul Cruz's piece "Quien Habla Por Todos Los Ninos?" will be on display through the month at the old Mesa County courthouse, corner of Sixth Street and Rood Avenue. Photo by Le Roy Standish.
Two twisted neon faces peek out of a window asking, “Quien Habla Por Todos Los Ninos?” translated as “Who Speaks for All the Children?” The words are surrounded by newspaper headlines of child abuse cases describing mothers who murdered their children, school shootings and those who provided alcohol to minors.
This multimedia sculpture is the latest by Grand Junction neon artist Paul Cruz. “Any child who has been abused, from their soul, lose a spiritual song of ‘magic.’ Forever lost, changing each life of what they could have been,” Cruz wrote.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the sculpture will be on display at the old Mesa County courthouse, 544 Rood Ave., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week. It is located just inside the entrance on Sixth Street.
As part of the display, Cruz included a notebook full of newspaper clippings, mostly taken from the pages of The Daily Sentinel. It chronicles child abuse crimes committed across the world, nation and some from right here in Mesa County. The articles add a powerful reminder that child abuse happens everywhere and sometimes right next door.
The display also has blue ribbons to be tied to vehicle antennae, blue wristbands, as well as information about area child abuse centers and about the sculpture.
To report suspected child abuse and neglect call 242-1211.
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