Creative Expressions Gallery / Submission #114 2

Dear 1 October Memorial Committee,

Like everyone else, I was horrified when news of the cowardly attack on the Route 91 Festival reverberated around the world. How could someone do such a terrible thing?

However, as I read about what happened and watched footage from that terrible night, I was inspired by people helping each other flee, law enforcement rushing to the scene, strangers taking wounded to hospitals, medical personnel working tirelessly to treat the wounded, staff at the Mandalay Bay providing information to law enforcement, and law enforcement’s breach and entrance into the shooter’s room. There is evil in this world, but I believe there is far more love and good. I am submitting a design because I want to provide a place to show people that good is stronger than evil.

In designing a memorial to commemorate the 2017 attack and honor victims and survivors, I chose the triskelion, an ancient Celtic symbol that consists of three interlocked spirals. The triskelion represents the three elements of fire, earth, and water, which in-turn symbolize the
worlds of the celestial, physical, and spiritual. However, the triskelion has evolved over time to also mean life-death-rebirth, past-present-future, and creation-protection-destruction. Because the triskelion is such a versatile symbol, visitors to the Route 91 Festival Memorial can interpret the memorial in ways that are best for them.

The attached submission shows the interlocking design elements I feel would make a beautiful, powerful, and somber memorial. The use of local rock, stone, and plants will give the memorial a decidedly southern Nevada look and feel. I have scoured the internet and can’t find another instance where the triskelion is used in such a way, so this memorial would be one-of-a-kind as befitting Las Vegas’ history and spirit.

Survivors and visitors deserve a place where they can reflect on what happened, find hope in the response, and solace that those affected will not be forgotten. I hope my memorial can do this for them.

Thank you for providing people a chance to contribute designs to such an important endeavor.

Scott Kelley

Welcome to the Gallery, a place curated thematically as a celebration of our community’s creativity, inspiration, talents and diverse perspectives and ideas. We hope it advances your journey of healing. These submissions were received during the first phase of our memorial design selection process from July 1 – Oct. 31, 2022, when the public and individual artists were encouraged to submit ideas for the memorial or artwork created in response to the incident. Some submissions may not be viewable here, but all were shared with the design team finalists to inform their design proposals. We will never share your information with advertisers or third parties. All works, including images and media contained on this site were submitted for posting by 3rd parties and not by Clark County or the 1 October Memorial Committee, and are expressly forbidden from any other uses or display without prior permission. If you believe any of these items were posted in violation of copyright law or without authorization, please contact us using the form HERE immediately so we can review the submission. We use cookies to improve your experience on this site, and for tracking and internal reporting purposes. We will never share your information with advertisers, or other 3rd parties. All works, including images and media contained on this site were submitted for posting by 3rd parties and not by Clark County or the 1 October Memorial Committee. If you believe any of these images were posted in violation of copyright law or without authorization, please contact us using the form or email contained herein immediately so we can review the submission. Your acceptance and use of this site constitutes your acceptance and agreement of our terms and privacy policies. Learn More Accept to continue