The elephants are coming to Salve
Salve will host a herd of life-size Indian elephant sculptures on campus as part of an extraordinary Cliff Walk experience from Thursday, July 4, through Saturday, Sept. 7. The project, The Great Elephant Migration (GEM), is a traveling public art exhibition and global fundraising initiative to inspire humans to share space. This year-long campaign will see 100 magnificent elephants migrate across the U.S. to share their story with the world. Their national journey begins in Newport.
An international collaboration between Indigenous artisans, contemporary artists and cultural institutions, The Great Elephant Migration aims to support Indigenous-led conservation efforts and inspire peaceful human and animal coexistence.
“In the last 40 years, the human population of India has doubled to 1.4 billion, which has coincided with an increase in the number of elephants, rhinos, lions and tigers in the country,” said Ruth Ganesh, Coexistence Collective co-founder and trustee of the Elephant Family NGO. “The extraordinary success of this compassionate coexistence is a testament to the power of collective empathy.”
Salve will host the biggest herd of 52 on the lawn of McAuley Hall, which is publicly accessible from the Cliff Walk. Other herds can be viewed at the Rough Point, The Breakers and Great Friends Meetinghouse. The U.S. Migration is presented by Art&Newport, founded by Salve alumna Dodie Kazanjian ’72, which aims to develop and host a series of city-wide visual arts presentations in Newport.
The best way to experience the Great Elephant Migration is from the Cliff Walk, which starts on Memorial Boulevard at the western end of Easton’s/First Beach, where public parking is available. Alternatively, visitors can park at the Newport Transportation Center and take the free hop-on/hop-off shuttle using Route #67, bike or walk.
“As a mission-driven institution, we are guided by five critical societal concerns: the Earth, immigration, nonviolence, anti-racism and women,” said Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong, Salve’s president. “Hosting the herd is a way for us to live our mission, help our students learn while they do meaningful work, and join with Art&Newport and our neighbors to bring this special experience to our community and all who visit.”
As part of its whole-person approach to education that integrates academics with practical experience, Salve runs a co-curricular Cliff Walk Ambassador program in which students study the history, economic impact and environmental aspects of the Cliff Walk and receive training in public speaking to act as docents. Four students are part of a special summer component to help guide visitors while they’re at the Salve installation, and they are also learning about the Great Elephant Migration.
“These elephants are just magnificent,” Armstrong added. “We’re honored to share our space with them and help inspire compassionate coexistence. We can’t wait to see visitors, students, faculty and staff enjoying something so unique and joyful on our campus.”
