Gift of sculptures from Shaffer Family adds grace and beauty

David and Sally Shaffer

Sally and David Shaffer, D.D.S., are helping Summa Health create a healing environment with their donation of The Daughters of Odessa Trilogy by renowned sculptor Frederick E. Hart, widely considered to be one of the preeminent sculptors of the 20th century. Longtime supporters of Summa Health, Dr. and Mrs. Shaffer, who serve on the Summa Health Healing Arts Leadership Council, were early patrons of Mr. Hart.

The three sculptures that comprise the Odessa Trilogy depict the four young daughters of Czar Nicolas II who were martyred with their parents and brother by Bolshevik troops during the 1917 Russian Revolution. Odessa was the last major work of Mr. Hart, who died in 1999 at 56. He said that the sculptures were his tribute to grace and beauty, his call to remember “the ability to have faith, sustain hope, feel the transforming power of beauty and to revel in the innocence around us.”

“We want to help Summa Health build an environment that heals the whole person — mind, body and spirit,” said Dr. Shaffer, a retired periodontist. 

“Patients are going to be uplifted and caregivers are going to be inspired in the atmosphere that these sculptures are helping to create,” said Mrs. Shaffer. “These are such beautiful works. We are excited to contribute.” 

NOTE: This story originally appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of Promise magazine.

For more information about supporting the Healing Arts program at Summa Health, contact Shelley Green, Senior Director of Development, Summa Foundation, at 330.375.6891 or greensh@summahealth.org.