Kinderbells
Tom created the KinderBells Musical Flower Garden for his 2013 ArtPrize entry. His piece was situated in the high profile location of the front walkway of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Children and adults had the opportunity to play the bells during the three week art competition, as Tom assisted visitors by teaching songs as well as demonstrating the piece himself. Because of the stunning visual appeal of the piece, Tom's commitment to childhood music education and the uniqueness of recycling oxygen tanks to create a musical instrument, KinderBells gained significant media attention and proved to be a fan favorite. After public vote, Tom's piece placed within the top 100 of 1,524 entries.
The original Flower Garden that was displayed at 2013's ArtPrize has been purchased through a grant by the Garden Club of Cadillac. The second flower garden was commissioned in 2015 by the Magical Bridge Playground located in Palo Alto, CA, with funds donated for the instrument by Hall of Famer Steve Young’s “ Forever Young Foundation”. Since then Kinderbells have been installed in Traverse City, Charlevoix, Grand Rapids, Caledonia, and Grand Ledge Michigan, Minneapolis Minn., and Campbell and San Diego, California
There are more pictures and videos on the FaceBoiok page : https://www.facebook.com/kinderbells
My first set of tuned bells made from recycled oxygen tanks, as part of Raven Hill Discovery Center's Music Garden 2009
The second set of bells I made, and the first octave. This set was installed in the playground of Petoskey Central Elementary School
The second design for KinderBells 2013, using steel pipe to replace the wooden posts. This was commissioned by Petoskey's Taylor School for Exceptional Learners
Students at Taylor School using the first set of clappers made from golf balls, which were added to the bells shortly after installation.
The next evolution of the bells flipped the frame, so that the bells were suspended from above, and the newly designed clappers could swing freely. This set is at NMC's child care center in Traverse City.
Inspired by the new hanging design, I created a scale model of my musical flower garden
Terran Hansen from Ace Weldding and I with the first flower garden bell stand 2013
The first KinderBells Musical Flower Garden in front of the Grand Rapids Public Museum at ArtPrize 2012
The first visitor at Art Prize 2013 to play the Musical Flower Garden design
The First Musical Flower Garden