Eco Friendly by David Sheldon installed at Phinizy Swamp & Nature Park
Towards the end of 2021, The Greater Augusta Arts Council was contracted to conduct a nation wide call for art for a sculpture to be installed at Phinizy Center for Water Sciences, Swamp & Nature Park. The national call received 26 proposal applications from 16 artists across the United States. Pax Bobrow, our Project Manager at the Arts Council then presented applications for final selection to the newly formed Phinizy Art Sculpture Committee.
The work selected, Eco Friendly by Asheville native David Sheldon, was installed on May 18th of 2022. About this sculpture, David stated, “Since the purpose of the sculpture is to create an overall welcome to Phinizy Center’… I settled on the idea of “Eco-Friendly”, creating a design that expresses the swamp eco-system and the water’s life-giving and life-sustaining properties. ’Friendly’ also expresses the Center’s welcoming programs.”
The sculpture stands approximately 10 feet high
(including painted steel base) by 4 ft x 4 ft wide, and be anchored into a concrete slab. It is welded and brushed aluminum. Seen in the sculpture, Eco Friendly expresses the themes of water, water-conservation, ecosystem balance, and Phinizy’s signature logo, the dragonfly.
The sculpture was funded by Georgia Rehabilitation
Institute. President/CEO, Dennis Skelley, shared the grant was awarded to Phinizy for the purpose of sharing beautiful art for all to see and enjoy. Eco Friendly will be located in the front of the Phinizy visitor’s parking lot, which is easily accessible for anyone to view.
Phinizy Swamp Nature park is free and open to the public 365 days a year, roughly from dawn to dusk. The hours are 7AM – 7PM for October through March and 7AM – 8PM for April through September. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead if they are planning a trip out and would like to visit the shop or visitors center. Free parking is located at the Nature Park’s main entrance.
You can contact Phinizy via email at [email protected] or by phone at 706-828-2109 for more information.
For more information on David Sheldon and his work please visit his website!