Katie Vigilante discovered the concept for her Chamblee City Hall sculptural tree in a synchronic fashion. Commissioned by the Balance Design Team, she invited her son’s girlfriend on a whim to a meeting, when a casual conversation led to the piece’s entire mission.
Previously a political scientist, Katie was excited to hear that Chamblee took part in the International Sister Cities program, an initiative started by Eisenhower after World War II to foster overseas connections. Learning that Kovel, Ukraine, is Chamblee’s counterpart stopped Katie in her tracks. “Isn’t that where you’re from?” Katie asked her son’s girlfriend, Liza. Kovel is a tiny town that has been under siege by Russia. The coincidence felt fated, and thus, the concept of The Tree of Kovel began its journey.
A banquette sat in the lobby of Chamblee’s City Hall with a large space in the center. This area became a magnet for children playing and even social media dances, and it needed to be filled. The original idea of installing a live tree was deemed too high maintenance, leading to Katie’s inclusion, as she’s widely regarded for her floral sculptures. The Tree of Kovel would be her largest piece to date.
One of the most exhilarating aspects of its creation came early, when Katie sourced a boxwood elm tree trunk from her colleague's yard, which was set to be thrown in a nearby creek. The trunk was a mess, and many creatures had made it their temporary home, so preparing it for painting was a physically demanding process. The power of transformation began to seep through as Katie removed every piece of bark and sanded the trunk down to a smooth surface, revealing a large base that almost resembles a human body.
Initially, her commissioners weren’t on board when they saw photos. Her vision was strong, and she knew that if they saw it in person, they would see its potential. Fortunately, they did, and the next step was convincing the city of Chamblee of the structure’s concept and its attached meaning. “I knew that if I could get this idea in front of the city, they would buy in," she says. And she was right.
The Tree of Kovel and all its accompanying reverberations became Katie’s passion project. She crafted branches and leaves in her signature style, as if they grew out of the repurposed tree trunk. Painted pebbles line the bottom, and golden leaves based on Liza’s doodles lie across them, symbolizing the fallen people of Kovel. A level of logistical problem-solving was added to the project in a way Katie hadn’t yet encountered. There were various considerations to enhance safety, movement, and preservation of its sculptural integrity.
Behind all this effort burned a dedication to honoring the people of Kovel as they suffered. The responsibility was never lost on Katie and the entire team. "I would love to take the passion of those people and say, here's something tangible and a symbol of hope," Katie says. The community has faced significant hardships, including severe 16-hour rolling blackouts that disrupted daily life. "We were on a Zoom call as a family, and Liza was translating for her parents, and they had to flee," Katie says. These ongoing challenges have impacted the city's economy, the ability to work, go to school, cook food, and stay warm.
Katie was jarred by their resilience and galvanized to implement fundraising efforts, and met virtually with the Mayor of Kovel to offer support. Public art is a powerful way to turn advocacy into direct action. Now, at the heart of Chamblee’s City Hall, the Tree of Kovel symbolizes true resilience while honoring the fallen.
The Tree of Kovel isn’t just another commission for Katie; it serves as a tangible symbol of hope while permanently connecting the two communities. Furthermore, by living in an open public space like Chamblee City Hall, this extremely skillful piece with such nuanced meaning is accessible to all. “Art is to be shared”, Katie says passionately, “And it's about community. It's symbolic of humanity."
For centuries, the power of public art has defined eras and influenced societies. Now, in our little corner of the world, Chamblee holds a piece of public art on a true mission. By representing its sister city, Kovel, this sculpture emphasizes our shared humanity on an international level. We all need a warm home with the lights on while living alongside our neighbors in safety.
The people of Kovel have held onto hope while demonstrating unimaginable strength in the face of adversity. Katie Vigilante, Balance Design Team, and the City of Chamblee have come together to honor them while encouraging practical support. This is one piece of art making an international impact. “When you've got a great story,” Katie says in awe, “Sometimes you get really magnificent outcomes.”
Kovel, Chamblee’s sister city, needs funds for veterans. The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America in Georgia directly sends donations to the “Steel Legion” of Ukraine for distribution. Gifts go towards Adaptive Sports and Rehabilitation Equipment, Accessibility Infrastructure, Medical Rehabilitation and Sanatorium Treatment, or Individual Mobility Support.
A tiny ripple can mean a tremendous amount.
Donate here: ukrainianatlanta.org/donation
Art is to be shared, Katie says passionately, And it's about community. It's symbolic of humanity.