Hope

Post 9/11 there was a great deal of emotion with many people in a state of shock, not only in New York City but worldwide. As people came to grips with this tragic event and the shocking death toll there was a feeling of unity and hope which emerged especially for those New Yorkers who lived and worked in the area of the World Trade Centre.

Hope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. It is the "feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best" or the act of "look[ing] forward to with desire and reasonable confidence" or "feel[ing] that something desired may happen". Other definitions are "to cherish a desire with anticipation"; "to desire with expectation of obtainment"; or "to expect with confidence". In the English language the word can be used as either a noun or a verb, although hope as a concept has a similar meaning in either use.

Tiles for America

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, ceramic studios around the world joined together to offer a creative outlet to the people of our nation. Thousands of tiles, reflecting patriotism, heroes, courage, unity, poetry, and other positive themes arrived in NYC, and more continue to arrive. The “artists” are represented worldwide and have been families, children, schools, churches, scouts, and senior groups. 

Each tile reflects the artists’ thoughts of sadness and hope in the face of this American tragedy and once again, shows that the American people will pull together in times of national disaster. The first New York memorial is located on a chain link fence at the corner of 7th Avenue and 11th Street as shown in the photo here. This memorial and the tiles on it have been shown in several television shows and music videos. It is also regularly visited by tourist buses. The second memorial is at the Tribute WTC Center on the southside of Ground Zero.