New sculptures dance across Gary’s Marquette Park
Workers used a crane to carefully lift and guide the pieces of the stainless-steel sculpture “Here” to the right spot at the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Hemlock Street at the entrance to Gary’s Marquette Park.
A group gathered to watch the statue take shape as the artist, Ruth Aizuss Migdal, helped ensure the piece was correctly placed.
“This is the most wonderful community. I’ve never had this much fun,” she said.
The artist described her stainless-steel piece in vibrant red as a depiction of a “dancing, powerful lady who is equal or better than and beautiful”. The 90-yearold said she has been creating art for the past 75 years and focusses on the strength of women in her work.
The statue is one of three that will be part of a two-year public art display sponsored by the Miller Beach Arts & Creative
District, the Friends of Marquette Park and the Miller Garden Club, with the assistance of funding from the Legacy Foundation, according to Akilia McCain of the Miller Garden Club. A second statue, “Tall Ships” by artist Bruce Niemi, was installed next to the Marquette Beach concession stand.
“Marquette Park is arguably the finest park in the state of Indiana. We are delighted to display this brilliant art for residents and visitors to enjoy,” McCain said.
Niemi, who got his start in his father’s welding studio in the 1960s, said his work reflects his love for the ocean and the strength and beauty of tall ships. It is one of 55 sculptures the artist currently has on display across the country.
“It’s been a wonderful experience for me,” Niemi said.
The final statue, “To Bee or Not to Bee” by Alex Mendez, will be installed Monday on Lake Street at 6th Avenue, according to
Jenifer Okamura, executive director of the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District. The installation takes place at 11:30 a.m. The public art installation is the culmination of an effort that began in October with the formation of a public art committee comprised of members from the three groups.
Okamura said after all the hard work put in by the groups, seeing the project come to fruition makes her want to cry.
“It’s very moving,” Okamura said. The installment will run for two years, and the groups will have the option to renew the lease at that time or purchase the statues.
Carol Smith, a leader for the Friends of Marquette Park, and Karin Crane, president of the Miller Garden Club, said when they learned statues such as those chosen for the project could be leased instead of purchased outright it made the project affordable.
The installation will cost about $12,000. The committee worked with Chicago Sculpture International to find the sculptures, and worked with artists who do their own installations which helped to keep the cost down. The committee was able to choose from 16 statues based on what they liked and availability. The committee narrowed the field to the final three.
“That’s why we are able to afford it,” Crane said.
The women joked “we squeezed people” to raise the funds for the installation.
Without the community support, they said, the project would not have happened.
“A lot of people really love this park,” Smith said.
All those involved hope the installation engages the community and encourages tourism to the city, the Lake Street area and its premiere Marquette Park.
Susan Cohen with Friends of Marquette Park said she was overjoyed about the project as she watched the statue get fit into place.
“The sculptures speak different messages,” Cohen said.
She said the sculptures give the groups the opportunity to create a sculpture walk in the park which would bring in more people. She would like to see public art installations throughout the city.
“To me, this is a momentous day for Miller,” Cohen said.
Irene Smith-King, president emeritus of MBACD, said the project has been a long time coming. She was thrilled to see “Here” installed because of its subject matter and its bold color. Red is her favorite.
“Dreams do come true,” she said.