FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO) – Five artists have been invited to submit a design for the Promenade Park sculpture.

In January 2016, the Waterfield Foundation donated $100,000 through the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. for the creation of the entryway sculpture.

Lilly Endowment, Inc. matched the donation by 50%, bringing the total to $150,000.

The five selected artists represent a variety of media preferences, artistic styles and experiences.

Each submitted sculpture will be evaluated by the Waterfield Foundation, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the selection committee based these characteristics:

• Artistic and aesthetic quality
• Durability
• Sustainability
• Uniqueness
• Representation of diverse cultures and styles

The following artists were invited to submit sculpture proposals:

• Osman Akan
  • Sculpture: Flow
    “Fort Wayne is a hub of multiple rivers that historically have brought trade, transportation, industry and development to this region. This metal sculpture, entitled Flow, not only carries the meaning of the artist’s last name but also will act as a gentle reminder of this rich history and the ever-changing nature of life around rivers.”
• Michael A. Dunbar
  • Sculpture: All Along the Watch Tower
    “Mr. Dunbar’s sculpture submission is composed of three unique elements.  A three-sided tower base which makes reference to the three rivers that are so much a part of the cultural heritage of the City of Fort Wayne. At the core of the design is a cog wheel that represents the machinery and industrial innovations that have been a significant impact on the economy of Fort Wayne. The spire of the tower is in reference to the unlimited future of telecommunication and is accented by two grid-like elements which reference the historic Wells and Harrison Streets bridges.”
    
• Linda Howard
  • Sculpture: The Flow of Three Rivers Convergence
    “Suggests the flow of the three rivers coming together, which has unified this region and the people. As one moves around the sculpture, one experiences a visual adventure, never seeing the same view twice.”
• Nathan S. Pierce
  • Sculpture: Embrace
    “An “Embrace” is to hold something closely with a sign of affection. From the most dramatic and predominant viewing angle, this sculpture suggests the open and inviting arms of the rivers as an embrace for all park visitors.”
    
• Cary Shafer 
  • Sculpture: Bridges
    “Bridges is based on the concept of utilizing the corner of Harrison and Superior Streets to create an interactive sculpture. Two 20 x 20-foot boxes turned on end and tilted two degrees invite the viewer to enter and pass thru the iconic forms invoking a sense of walking on a bridge to both enter and exit the Promenade Park.”
    

For full artist biographies, sculpture summaries and photos, visit riverfrontfw.org.

The selected sculpture will be announced in early August and is expected to be installed in Promenade Park in June 2018.