Memorial Dolls Slideshow

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Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Memorial Dolls Slideshow

Posted By Cathy Resmer on Wed, Aug 8, 2007 at 10:29 AM

This week I produced an unusual audio slideshow about memorial dolls.

It features Jennifer Stocks-Dearborn, a Jefforsonville sculptor who makes realistic clay babies for people whose infants have died. Her own daughter died of SIDS in 2000.

Leon Thompson wrote a story about her for this week's paper, but I thought we could do more with the images of the dolls. Stocks-Dearborn refers to them as "creepy, naked babies," and they are indeed creepy. And also beautiful. And sad.

I drove to Stocks-Dearborn's house on Monday and recorded an interview with her, which I edited and mixed with the song "Precious Time" from The Cush. Talking with her was a moving experience. I hope that's clear from the slideshow.

Don, our creative director, has created a new template for the slideshows, which makes them look more professional.

I think this project illustrates the value of this particular medium. Some people suggested that we shoot video of Stocks-Dearborn, but I think the still images, paired with the audio, are more poignant.

One or more images has been removed from this article. For further information, contact [email protected].

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Cathy Resmer

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Seven Days’ deputy publisher and co-owner Cathy Resmer is a writer, editor and advocate for local journalism. She works in the paper’s Burlington office and lives vicariously through the reporters while raising money to pay them. Cathy started at Seven Days as a freelance writer in 2001 and still has the Rolodex...