There is a new sculpture on display in Durham’s Central Park. The seven foot, 1500 pound steel sculpture, called Reunion, resembles an intricate woven basket. It was created by Michael E. Waller, a sculptor with Liberty Arts Non-Profit Sculpture Studio and Foundry. Getting the sculpture placed was a collaborative effort between Durham Central Park, Durham’s Cultural Advisory Board, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Liberty Arts. Durham’s Five Points, an original contender for Reunion’s site, fell through but Frank Konhaus, of the Cultural Advisory Board contacted Durham Central Park’s Executive Director, Ann Alexander, because he felt Durham Central Parkwould be a perfect temporary home. “Parks and Recreation, Planning, Engineering, Transportation and Stormwater Management all moved with incredible speed to get this reviewed and approved in less than 4 days” says Peter Coyle Senior Economic Development Coordinator at Durham’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development.
Collaboration continued as Reunion was brought directly from the Sculpture in the Garden show at the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, in sculptor Wayne Vaughn’s truck, free of charge. Michael Waller is loaning Reunion to Durham Central Park free of charge. Waller, a member of the Liberty Arts group, has been a professional sculptor since 1997 after earning a BFA in Sculpture at East Carolina University. Reunion will be on display until May 1, when it will be replaced with a sculpture juried in the the upcoming Bull City Sculpture Show. Durham Central Park will host multiple, large, dynamic pieces from throughout the U.S. during the show. You can find out more about the Bull City Sculpture Show at www.bullcitysculptureshow.org.
