NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A sculpture being installed this week at West Riverfront Park is the newest part of Nashville's growing public art collection.
It’s called Light Meander, it’s 45 feet tall, and designed to mimic the shape of the Cumberland River. It was designed by artistsTom Drugan and Laura Haddad and will cost $350,000. Project managers for the new West Riverfront Park said it is designed to attract attention and help draw people to the park.
Color changing LED lights will illuminate the sculpture at night. The top of the sculpture also feature wind-activated metal guitar picks that will create a musical sound when there is a breeze.
Another project, Stix, is in the works for the Korean Veterans Bridge Roundabout. It has a budget of $750,000 and is still in the fabrication process. It will be installed in the next six to nine months.
The Metro Arts Commission said both projects will join the 40 works of public art added to the city since 2000. The projects are created by professional artists through a community input process. The artwork is funded through a public art ordinance that sets aside 1% of certain capital improvement project funds for the commissioning and purchasing of art.
The Metro Arts Commission added the goal of the program is to integrated artwork throughout the city and support the cultural identity of the city.
It’s a program local artists like Andee Rudloff support.
“The creative industry is really what fuels the city,” said Rudloff, as she painted a mural on the side of a building in East Nashville. “As long as we keep the creative force moving, sculptures, song, dance or theater, it all works together to make us a better city.”
If you would like to get involved with the Public Art process, visit http://www.nashville.gov/Arts-Commission/Public-Art.aspx
