NEW YORK, NY.- Thousands of white origami doves, folded by people of all ages, races and faiths, have been installed at The Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest from April 12 to August 18. In addition to the doves soaring over the nave, the installation features a contemplative light and sound show for the first month of installation. The public is invited to create the doves and to write their thoughts on the folded doves, specifically related to their ideas on what the theme of “release” means to them—release from burdens, pain, addiction or any other adversity each individual would like to overcome.

Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison is a partner in the installation, drawing attention to the issue of mass incarceration in our country, and what “release” means to the individuals in prison or newly released. In addition to “release,” the white doves carry messages of peace, resilience and hope in our troubled times.

Sean Pica, Executive Director of Hudson Link stated “we are thrilled to be involved in the Les Colombes Exhibit alongside our long time Alumni Services Ministry partner, Church of the Heavenly Rest. CHR's re-entry support has been invaluable to us over the years and this latest opportunity is the most exciting yet. Having our alumni and their families fold the doves and write what release means to them was a powerful experience. And we are sure that witnessing the actual completed exhibit will be profoundly moving.”

Since 2007, Les Colombes have been travelling around the globe, from Jerusalem to Munich, Salisbury and London and most recently Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

School children from around New York City are already folding the doves and composing their thoughts about what ‘release’ means to them.

Les Colombes creator, Michael Pendry, is an artist, stage and set designer and actor who splits his time between Germany and the UK. He comments that “the doves create an atmosphere of calmness, gentleness and virtue as they fly through the air in an arrangement which appears to be a loose flock of birds. Folded by so many people, the doves in their unity stand for the right to peace and freedom for all people.”

Reverend Matthew Heyd, the Rector of CHR, stated: “Our Christian tradition sees beauty as sacred and art as an expression of the divine. We’re honored to work with Michael Pendry and to host Les Colombes. It’s going to be exciting to welcome our neighbors to see the exhibition through the summer.”