Dedication ceremony planned for South Ninth Street sculpture
It was hard for drivers to miss the six 20-foot-tall, 2,500-pound steel pieces of "Dawn's Silver Lining" installed Tuesday south of the intersection of Schilling Road and South Ninth Street.
Whether it was because the northbound lanes were closed and forced them to take detours around the installation, the southbound drivers who slowed down to take a look or the people who walked up to the installation and took photos, people took notice of the large, shelterbelt-inspired sculpture.
The sculpture, designed by Arizona-based artist Barbara Grygutis, was installed and hooked up to power Tuesday.
City commissioners voted in 2010 to spend $246,547 for the sculpture. In August, they approved spending an additional $53,052 to build a foundation for the piece. The sculpture was fabricated by Industrial Stainless International, which is based in New Mexico.
Grygutis plans to attend a dedication ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday near the sculpture, sponsored by Salina Arts and Humanities. The ceremony will take place on the sidewalk on the east side of South Ninth Street, south of Schilling Road.
Grygutis was on site as each piece of the sculpture was installed. She said she attends all installations of her work.
She designed the sculpture after a trip to Salina in 2009, when the city was searching for an artist to design an art element to be incorporated into the expansion of the South Ninth Street corridor.
Grygutis said the light from the sun will create a "shadow image" during the day.
"You get a moire pattern because of the perforated metal," Grygutis said. "It is like a light box.
"When you look at it toward the sun, it will look like trees with the sun behind it," Grygutis said. "When there is a sunset and sunrise, it will be interesting to look at."
The sculpture will be illuminated at night by lights.
Prickett said the interior of the sculpture was "exquisite" work.
"The sculpture has a pretty good presence," Prickett said. "This is a gateway piece that will be effective."
Grygutis said she is known for her work with perforated metal.
Grygutis said the location, south of intersection in the median, is "interesting."
Grygutis said the size of the sculpture could help.
Prickett said Grygutis might speak at the dedication event Thursday and people will be able to meet her.
Prickett said Arts and Humanities staff are still working out traffic issues but urged people to park in the Lowe's parking lot and meet in front of the new Daimaru Steakhouse. Refreshments will be served.
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