The Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department will hold a dedication and reception in City Park on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. at the site of the new sculpture, Metamorphosis 92.
The sculpture was designed, created and donated by local mosaic artist Gail Christofferson and is located across from the pool in the newly refurbished horseshoe pit area.
A Bur Oak tree, set for removal, was reclaimed and used for the sculpture. Christofferson, whose mosaic work is nationally acclaimed, and her team approached the city about a desire to create and install a new sculpture in City Park prior to the arborist’s determination of the tree being removed. Their plan provided an opportunity to re-use the oak tree to create a dome-like structure and a seating area in the center of the dome. A mosaic incorporated into the design creates a new and unique place to take a moment to relax and reflect while visiting City Park.
Christofferson’s team member, Craig Hamilton, owner of Modified Originals, was instrumental in designing and creating the structure. Hamilton’s background in architectural design and fabrication brought the structure to life.
The heavy tree branches were sawed into wishbone shapes of similar size and arranged so that the pieces interacted together to form a sturdy and stable yet still organic structure. Heavy-duty threaded rod-through bolts were used to lock the branches together. For anchoring to the ground, the branches were drilled, filled with epoxy, and dropped down onto 3/4-inch rebar spikes, precast into 3-foot deep concrete Sonotube footings.
Christofferson then created an organic star-burst mosaic design using scrap glass onto the Lexan panels that were cut to fit the curved profile of the branches. The panels were then coated with UV-resistant resin and suspended inside the structure using 1/8-Inch stainless steel aircraft cable and weather-resistant crimps.
“My long-time relationship with the BG Parks and Recreation Department was a key factor in this collaboration,” Christofferson said. “The parks department was instrumental in removing the tree in a manner that allowed us to create the structure and providing the on-site infrastructure. This project allowed me and my team to create a new and unique piece of art for the park and for our portfolio to garner future sculpture projects.”
Christofferson also has a mosaic installation at the Community Center and a sculpture at Simpson Garden Park.
The project is partially funded by an Arts Commission Accelerator Grant made possible through support from ProMedica, the Ohio Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and other generous supporters.
Immediately after the dedication, a reception will be held in the Veterans Building with light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artist. The monthly Parks and Recreation Board Meeting will be held at the Veterans Building after the reception beginning at 7 p.m.
For questions or more information, call 419-354-6223.
