FLORENCE-The fourth in the series of monumentally scaled sculptures is expected to be unveiled during the city’s Bicentennial next year.
With a unanimous vote at this week’s city council meeting, Florence approved a contract with the University of Alabama for Craig Wedderspoon of the university’s art department to design and sculpt a 20 foot tall semi-abstract sculpture that will be sited along Mitchell Boulevard near the southern entrance to the city. The location is opposite the Police Station near the former site of the State Trooper Station. Placed on a 2 ft pedestal, the artwork should dominate the entrance to the city for those arriving from O’Neal Bridge..
In keeping with the overall vision of the Singing River Sculptures project, this sculpture will depict a Blues musician, a genre for which the city is known worldwide. Each of the sculptures represents a genre and not a person. So like the Sheffield sculpture is not that of Elvis, but a rock-a-billy musician, and Muscle Shoals not David Hood, but a bass player, Florence is showcasing its Blues heritage and not a specific person. The Tuscumbia sculpture is currently being created to represent the Native Americans who were the first musicians of the area.
The creative design work for the Florence sculpture will begin this Fall and is expected to be completed and installed during the latter part of the city’s Bicentennial year.
As the work begins on the Florence sculpture, volunteers will begin planning Phase II of the Singing River Sculptures, a dramatically scaled sculpture garden. Seven music-themed sculptures, each 25 to 30 feet tall will be erected near water’s edge in Veteran’s Park. Over $75,000 has already been raised.
Media Release/Singing River Sculptures/Bill Matthews
