Heather Hancock

 CASE STUDY

VISTA Lighing the Way

Context

Children’s advocacy centers serve individuals and families navigating challenging circumstances, making the emotional quality of the environment especially important. The project team sought artwork that would support the space without relying on literal imagery, creating a sense of warmth, optimism, and visual interest while integrating seamlessly with the architecture.

Approach

Drawing on biophilic design principles, the artwork combines abstracted foliage, an expansive sky, and subtle flashes of light inspired by the organization’s firefly motif. Themes of light and hope informed the concept, with light expressed not through representation but through materiality. Hand-cut iridized glass creates shifting reflections that change as viewers move through the corridor, bringing a quiet sense of energy and movement to the installation.

Outcome

The completed installation provides a continuous visual experience that grounds the seating area and activates the corridor. Through color, rhythm, and subtle shimmer, Lighting the Way contributes to the emotional tone of the environment while maintaining a refined, contemporary aesthetic. The result is a nature-inspired artwork that supports well-being through light, material, and abstraction rather than overt narrative.