The Tent is one of our permanent art sculpture located near Celebration Plaza. It is the 500 Festival’s gift to the community and pays tribute to community and volunteer spirit during the Festival’s first 50 impactful years. The 500 Festival was formed by a group of community leaders to celebrate the Indianapolis 500 in 1957. The Tent stands 43’ tall and 14’ wide. It is a wind activated sculpture built from tubular stainless steel, has nearly 500 panels of polished stainless steel, and is painted on the outside of each with 23 bright colors. The 500 Festival 50th Anniversary Legacy Art Project was dedicated on December 2, 2008. The art was created by internationally-renowned artist Donald Lipski.
by John Mishler—Goshen, Indiana
Originally Sky Waltz was part of the Sculpture in Park exhibitions. At the conclusion of it's program, the Park added the piece to its permanent collection of sculptures. The linear shapes of the piece suggest the jet engine trails that are often seen in the sky. The artist's sculpture is also kinetic as the top turns in the wind and passes through the stationary part of the piece. The sculpture is made of textured welded aluminum, much of which has been recycled. The round aluminum tubes were originally light poles. Mishler, a nationally renowned sculptor, specializes in using common metals in creating his symbolic and abstract works of art. Sculptures that incorporate kinetic energy and moving parts are his signature. He has many works in public and private collections, including Chicago. http://www.johnmishler.com
by Rinaldo Paluzzi—
Totem, is a public artwork by American-Spanish artist Rinaldo Paluzzi, located in Celebration Plaza. The sculpture is made of stainless steel and is a triangular shaped vertical "tube" with triangular and trapezoidal cut-outs in the steel. The piece sits centered atop a concrete circle, 40 feet in diameter, with a sundial face. The piece was constructed in 1982 and dedicated November 9 1982. It is copyrighted 1983.
by Jarrett K. Hawkins—Deer Park, Ohio
Linear V is based on natural process—natural mechanics of human vision as demonstrated through line and pattern, figure and ground. This artistic approach simulates processes in the larger natural world, such as the shapes created by erosion or the meandering of a river. Linear V takes full advantage of its three dimensionality, changing with every viewpoint and by changes in lighting and weather conditions throughout the day. The artist began his career as a stone sculptor in the 1970s, followed by a career building custom cabinetry and furniture. In the 1980s, he pursued a long-time interest in bronze casting and began his own multi-media studio. Hawkins & Hawkins Custom, an in-house production studio, is equipped with a full foundry, metalworking shop, woodworking facility, and stone yard. $12,750. Info
by James Havens—Woodville, Ohio
Yellow Butterfly exudes simplicity. James Havens creates his work with the artistic philosophy that “less is more”. Inspired by nature, Havens designed this sculpture to stand alone with minimal explanation, as he intends for all his pieces. Havens attended Lincoln Welding School in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a certified plate and pipe welder. He currently serves as an artistic welding instructor at Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. Havens also owns and operates Havens Studio and The Rose Bronze Foundry. $25,000.
by Scott Westphal—Indianapolis, Indiana
Artist Scott Westphal’s intent is to portray a feeling of reaching up and gazing out. He uses the I-beam construction style for it's prominent strength and efficient use of material. Stella is the artist’s abstracted vision of a seated woman with knees pulled in close. The pose attempts to be pensive and protected, while proud and optimistic. $TBD. http://i2isculpture.com
by Douglas M. Gruizenga—Interlochen, Michigan
The artist intends to welcome various interpretations of all viewers, bringing their experiences and understanding to the sculpture. Through his work, he studies absolutes and variables of form, creating sculptures that are predominately based on utilitarian, man-made items, rather than objects of nature. Gruizenga enjoys visiting his sculptures after a fresh snow to see footprints of viewers who’ve taken time to observe his work. “Each person goes on about their life with an experience, good or bad, based on their understanding of the sculpture." Gruizenga's a Western Michigan University graduate with a Master of Arts in Sculpture. After working as a psychiatric social worker for 19 years, he returned to his roots in sculpture and began working with aluminum. The artist finds it a humbling honor to communicate with people every day through his pieces. $12,000.
by Nicole Beck—Chicago, Illinois
Inspired by the rhythm and beauty of the compelling systems found in nature and sciences, artist Nicole Beck said Jet Stream is based on the “physics and dynamics of the cantilever.” The sculpture can be seen as a musical construction with an element—the steel band—that crescendos gracefully upward, reaches a climax, diminishes and ends. The piece also suggests an aircraft taking off with its exhaust trailing, as well as simulates atmospheric jet streams (hence its name). Beck constructs her own steel sculptures, but her repertoire of media also includes bronze, wood and glass. She has also been very active with diverse groups of apprentice artists in creating collaborative murals and mosaics for public spaces. $20,000.
by Chris Wubbena—Jackson, Missouri
The concepts and forms that make up artist Chris Wubbena’s artwork generate from an interest in melding physical and cultural history into compositions that exhume, analyze and challenge issues from yesterday and today. Selective Memory is an autobiographical mining of the past, present and future as memory fades and earth erodes. The artwork is a combination of various landmarks and artifacts. A landmark is a reminder of an emotion, experience or discovery … not just an object or place. An artifact is a clue into secrets that have resisted the effects of time. Wubbena uses an assortment of media to create pieces that compile and preserve information into layered, stacked and eroded forms. The finished product most often references the link between geology, history and everyday life. $15,000.
by Ray Katz—Pontiac, Michigan
Artist Ray Katz has worked in many mediums, but metal remains his passion. Metal is best suited for his work because of its strength, malleability, and inherent beauty. Katz combines geometric and organic elements to create compositions that convey the implied energy found in his work. He uses the abstract manipulation of form and shape in space to create visual balance, using rhythm, action, and movement. The implied energy of his composition structures has become a hallmark of Katz’s work and is a metaphor for an evolutionary process that he associates with human experience. $65,000. http://raykatzsculptor.com