Bird of Hope for Peace

Eva Petrič’s Bird of Hope for Peace (2023-2025) is a bird woven from 1,000 lace roses crafted by artisans in 11 countries. The expansive, colorful artwork aims to convey a message unity, reminding the viewer that hope is what carries peace forward. The bird is on display now through Nov. 19 in the Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons near the Grind Coffee Shop on the first floor of the Golda Meir Library.

Petrič gathered the individual lace roses and laid them on the grounds of a former Nazi concentration camp located along the Slovenian-Austrian border. As she arranged the lace, the shape of a bird emerged, and she brought them together into the Bird of Hope for Peace. The bird was first presented at the 2025 Idrija Lace Festival in Idrija, Slovenia. It then journeyed to Vienna, Austria, New York City, and, most recently, Milwaukee City Hall. The Bird of Hope for Peace‘s display in Milwaukee was made possible through a partnership between Petrič and the Milwaukee Slovenian Arts Council, Milwaukee’s Department of City Development, and the International Institute of Wisconsin. Next, the bird will be shown at the International Institute of Wisconsin’s Holiday Folk Fair at the Wisconsin State Fair Park from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22.

The artwork is free to view and open to the public. Bird of Hope for Peace can be viewed from both inside and outside the Golda Meir Library.