The city unveiled two new sculptures this month along South Garden Street in Columbia Arts District, taking another step in its goal to create a visual gateway that promotes local art.
The two sculptures, titled “Carbon Mic” and “Wonderment,” were created by local artists Kevin Hale and Joseph Hazelwood. They will join fellow artists Whitney Herrington and father and sons Rommel, Nicholas and Cory Ricaurte of Ricaurte Sculptures, whose pieces were unveiled in August.
More:New public art unveiled along upgraded South Garden Street in Arts District
Tourism and Marketing Director Kellye Murphy commented the Nov. 22 unveiling marks a significant addition to the city’s cultural landscape, which not only provides a new visual aesthetic, but plays a role in generating significant local revenue via tourism spending.
“Our Arts District has become a cornerstone of Columbia’s tourism appeal, drawing visitors and fueling our local economy,” said Murphy said.
“In 2023 alone, visitors to Columbia and Maury County contributed $136,859,400 in direct visitor spending. By continuing to expand attractions and cultural offerings in areas like our Arts District, we can further boost this spending and attract even more visitors. Investments like these do more than beautify our community — they support local businesses, generate tax revenue and make Columbia a top destination, driving sustainable growth in our tourism industry.”
Coming full circle on Arts Gateway
The sculptures are installed atop newly constructed art pedestals as part of the Arts District Streetscape Project, which was completed earlier this year.
This streetscape transformation included wider sidewalks, designated street parking, a one-way traffic pattern, enhanced landscaping, modern lighting, comfortable benches and five art pedestals positioned in what are considered key gathering areas.
“These sculptures are more than just art; they represent the spirit and soul of our city,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “By showcasing the incredible talent of artists like Kevin Hale and Joseph Hazelwood, we’re not only enriching our Arts District but also fostering a community that values creativity, inclusivity and shared experiences. The streetscape project is yet another way Columbia is becoming a destination for art, culture, and connection.”
City Manager Tony Massey emphasized the significance of public art in community engagement and urban development.
“Public art brings people together, creating connections and sparking conversations,” Massey stated. “The City of Columbia is proud to support local artists and provide platforms where their work can be shared and celebrated.This installation is a testament to our commitment to building a thriving cultural district that speaks to the creativity of our residents.”
Inspiring a vibrant community
The Nov. 22 unveiling also included comments from the artists themselves, sharing their inspiration, technique and what it means having their work chosen for such a project.
Hale, who is a commercial artist by trade, said this was the first personal work he’d ever been asked to create. Therefore, his piece, “Wonderment,” had to also come from somewhere personal.
“My sculpture, ‘Wonderment,’ is of my daughters when they were six and 10 years old. It captures that moment before the tattoos, before the piercings, before social media, all of that when just the simplest things could invoke wonder in my daughters.”
Hazelwood, also a commercial artist, describes his approach as “traditionally resistant to new technology, but uses technology in his precision.” His piece, “Carbon Mic,” he said was a challenge, but inspired by his fondness for vintage or “old” technology, and the relationship between tradition and innovation,
“It’s instantly recognizable when you see it. You’ll know it even if you aren’t 100 years old, because that design is 100 years old, but the technology has been used up through the 90s and 2000s in the handset of a telephone. Hopefully, it makes you think about the technology you use every day, because kind of an aversion of that is in your smart phone.”
Molder concluded the unveiling ceremony by noting the project as another example of the city’s push to promote the arts, and the widespread benefit arts can provide a community, especially when it is the local artists doing it.
“I think in order for your city to be a vibrant one, it has to have a vibrant arts scene, and so I’m grateful that city councils of past and present have noticed that,” Molder said. “And I think it’s important to note that the reason arts brings so much vibrancy to our city is not necessarily because of the art itself, which is of course important. It’s the artist behind the art that are really, truly creating the vibrancy we have here in the city of Columbia, and that’s what I appreciate about this more than anything.”
Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.