"As is often the case, the subject of my work seems to choose me, as much as I choose it. Once again, that is the case with this painting. 

On Saturday, September 30th, I came upon this bell at a local Flea Market. It had belonged to an Amish woman, who wanted to use it for her doorbell. She had gotten it off of an Amish, one room, schoolhouse. Not particularly pleased with it’s sound, she decided to sell it and I bought it. I knew immediately that I would use it for the subject of my next painting. Given the occurrence two days later, this bell would never be silenced.

By Monday morning, October 2nd, the painting was well under way. That’s when I received a phone call from my brother-in-law, asking if I was listening to the news. I was not.

When he told me of the tragic events unfolding right then, just minutes from my home and studio, I stopped working and tuned-in to hear the news. The coincidence was so disconcerting that I had to stop working for several hours. I resumed my work and completed the piece the next day. As I finished it, I felt it was important to share it with the community, but I didn't know when or how that would happen.

Less than one week later, while in the studio, I was listening to WIOV. They were about to have a moment of silence in recognition of the children who's lives were lost and the suffering of the families involved. They also had asked that local church bells in the area be rung in unison. There it was again...the bell connection. That’s when I decided to get involved through the station. I called the them, sent them an e-mail telling this story with image of the painting attached. I offered them image the to do some good for the community.

Through a collaborative effort of; a local photographer, a printer, two emergency response stations (who responded to the call on that tragic day), and the staff of WIOV we offered signed prints of the painting to anyone giving a contribution. The money went toward the reconstruction of a new schoolhouse and to assist the affected children and families. On Saturday, October 21st, at both Emergency response stations, we signed prints and received contributions. One hundred percent of those proceeds went to The Mennonite Central Committee for disbursement.

This image is in no way intended to be commemorative of that tragic day in Nickel Mine. That was a terrible day we all wish had never happened and would like to forget. Rather, this image is a reminder of what followed: The tremendous outpouring of kindness and care shown to those in need; the compassion and forgiveness of the Amish and English communities; the continual search for grace and blessings in the face of tragedy.

The extended hand in kindness during a time of tragedy, or any time, is one of the most humane acts we are capable of. It is for reasons such as these that this bell should never be silenced....Kindness and Compassion and should never be silenced."

"After continually being contacted by individuals, from across the country, requesting this
expression of kindness I realized that this message was spreading and I needed to take action.
If I was going to be able to handle this expansion, preparations needed to be made. I spoke to the printer about a second print run, set up all the packaging and shipping requirements and established a fund to handle the incoming contributions.

I went to the radio personnel and inquired as to whether or not they were experiencing a response,
to the first signing. To my surprise, they were getting the same response as myself, as were each
of the TV stations and newspapers that carried the story. I decided another print signing was needed. People were asking for it. The radio program director said, "OK, we will help, but we are only one radio station. As large as we are, our reach is limited. We'll do this only if national media attention recognizes what is happening." Just as everything else on this journey had fallen into place, so did that. The very next day I was contacted by ABC. They were preparing a documentary on the happenings of that day and the aftermath. They heard of my experiences, the painting and asked to include me in the documentary.

So, we were off and running with another print signing. Not knowing if we could duplicate the palpable energy of the first signing, we set out to simply spread the message of kindness and compassion. It was set up for December 2, 2006, at Christiana Ambulance Station. They are another unit that responded the tragic day.

On the morning of the signing, people turned out more than three hours in advance to my arrival, to contribute and receive prints. The ABC film crew and producer spent the day with me capturing it on film. I signed prints, again for more than six hours, non stop. As happened on the first day, we had surprise visitors. The grandparents of the gunman showed up. It was both the wish of The Amish and myself to let them know this expression of kindness was extended to them as well. Having them show up was a welcomed blessing.

That encounter, briefly, went like this: Two elderly people came up to the table. As I had asked everyone, I said to them, "Can I put your name on this (the print)? Personalize it?" This small, gray haired ,woman bent over and whispered to me, "Yes, but I don't want anyone to know who we are." I immediately stood up from the signing table and hugged her. We embraced for nearly a minute. As tears began to fill her eyes, I asked her if they would be willing to meet separately with me and I would give them as many prints as they wanted. They were taken off and I met with them a few minutes later. I walked into a room filled with EMT personnel, the ABC film crew...cameras, boom mic, the works. They were waiting for me. I put all that out of my mind and focused on this couple. I knelt down by them, as they were seated on a couch. We spoke quietly and briefly. She expressed thanks to me and the community for such kindness. We prayed together and then they prepared a list of all their family members that wanted to receive prints. All of this lasted about fifteen minutes. And then I was back to the thousands still waiting in line.

The day of signing ended around 6:00. It was then that the ABC crew asked to interview me, one on one, for the camera. I was drained physically and emotionally. Nothing to eat or drink all day. My body was actually shaking. I agreed and gave from the only tank that wouldn't empty. It all came from the heart. I sat in a darkened room, only lit by the spot light on myself and one on the original painting, behind me. After twenty minutes of questions we were finished. The lights came on and only then did I notice the room was filled with EMT personnel. Some of which were in tears. One of the radio DJ's, who had been there all day said to me, "You have no idea how many home runs you hit today. This isn't over."

On the day of that second signing I made the print available to anyone wanting it, world wide. I continue to get requests, prayers and well wishes from around the world."

Requests for additional prints has come from all across the country. Mr. Becker has received prayers, poems and stories appreciating this recognition of kindness. People from all walks of life wanted this acknowledgment of kindness continue and that more prints be produced.

Mr. Becker was invited to meet with the Amish families of the children attending school at Nickel Mine. He met with their parents, grandparents, extended families, and friends, as well as the children. Mr. Becker was also contacted by the 1st responders on the scene and the Pennsylvania State Troopers who surrounded the school as the day of the tragedy. Time after time, people expressed how his gesture and the image itself brought a calmness and peace to such a terrible occurrence. With such a profound response, Mr. Becker felt more had to be done.

Mr. Becker has now established a fund to benefit the children and the school of Nickel Mine. The sale of these prints feeds that fund. He hopes the funds will help continue the spread of kindness and compassion. From discussions he had with the Amish families, they realized that for so long there has been a distance between our two communities. A door of acceptance and understanding of one another is now open. We have found common ground; caring for each other.

Thousands of people have expressed how this image carries with it a sense of peace and
calmness. This ability to humbly express the impressive beauty of form is seen throughout all
of Mr. Becker's artwork. Compositions are chiseled down to the essential elements, which are
the then enhanced with light and color. The uniqueness of Mr. Becker's imagery is that it
transcends the representation of how something looks to include how it feels.

Printed in beautiful full color, it captures all the brush strokes and vibrancy of the original
painting. It measures a modest 13” x 13.” So as not to be overpowering, but rather a humble
reminder of the importance of kindness toward others.

Each one is hand signed by the artist and ready for framing.
Contributions of any size are always accepted for this cause.
Each contributor of $30 will receive a print.

Please legibly write or type the following information on a sheet of paper:

1. YOUR NAME:
2. ADDRESS:
3. E-MAIL:
4. NUMBER OF PRINTS:
5. CONTRIBUTION AMOUNT:

For a minimum contribution of $30 one print will be sent to you, signed by the artist. Please specify how many prints you would like and contribute accordingly. If you do not wish to receive a print, but still want to make a contribution, please indicate that clearly. Contributions in any amount are accepted.

From Bruce Becker, the Amish families and everyone directly involved
Thank you!