Four new art sculptures are planned for Columbus' Goodale Park, marking the first major public art effort in the Victorian Village neighborhood landmark in over a decade.
Friends of Goodale Park, a nonprofit volunteer group, has been working over the past several years to bring its Art in the Park initiative to life, according to president Jason Henry. Though the project still must clear a few procedural hurdles before receiving final approval, Henry said he expects to have three of the four art installations completed this fall.
The fourth piece likely won't be installed this year because the organization is still working to finalize a contract with that artist, he said.
Goodale Park, bordered by West Goodale and Park streets and Buttles and Dennison
avenues, hasn't had a significant public art project since the park's fountain was installed in the early 2010s, according to Henry. That lack of precedent is partly why the process has been so challenging.
"There's such a desire for public art in the city, but there really still isn't a 'steps one through 30' of how to do it," he said. "We kind of had to stumble and bumble through that.
"But hopefully the lessons learned from our project will help folks down the road and help to create a process."
For Art in the Park, that process began with a call for artists in 2024. Friends of Goodale Park's art committee narrowed the field of 76 applicants down to 10 finalists, six of whom were then paid to develop renderings and formal proposals. From there, four artists were ultimately selected – two from central Ohio, one from Chicago and the other from Madison, Wisconsin.
Henry said the project was funded through roughly $250,000 in contributions from a variety of local sources – including the Greater Columbus Arts Council, Short North Civic Association and neighborhood residents – to pay the artists and cover costs of structural engineering, permits and other legwork-related expenses. Once completed, he said the plan is to donate the artworks to the city.
"This is the first significant public art project in quite a while, and the first one in Goodale Park in probably 15 years," he said. "I think it's great for the neighborhood and going to be really transformative for the park."
Here are the four installations planned for Goodale Park.
'Traversal' by Dillon Beck
"The idea behind the sculpture, titled "TRAVERSAL," is to create a piece of art that both stands on it’s own as something beautiful to observe and functions as a passageway for people to move through," a description of the work states. "It signifies brighter days ahead; something like a rising and/or setting sun."
'Reaching Out' by Lelia Byron
"In this sculpture, two tree-like forms extend toward each other, representing the dual meaning of “reaching out” – both as a gesture of initiating conversation, offering support, or building connection, and as a reference to how trees and plants grow, extending roots and branches to seek nutrients, share signals, and communicate with one another," a description of the work states.
'The Growth' by Maxwell Emcays
"'The Growth' is a reflection on the intertwined journey of humanity and nature, emphasizing that progress is never a straight path but one filled with unexpected turns and transformations," a description of the work states. "The twisting, organic forms of laser-cut metal mimic the resilience and adaptability of trees and plant life, embodying the fluid nature of evolution."
Untitled sculpture by Virginia Kistler
"The inspiration for my proposed sculpture originates from the vibrant community found in Goodale Park," a description of the work states. "Steeped in history and framed by a stunning diversity of trees, the park shines as a beacon for Columbus. Whether it’s impromptu concerts, Comfest, Pride celebrations or everyday gatherings, Goodale draws people of all backgrounds into a shared experience. My sculpture reflects this energy, evokes motion, the passage of time, and the park’s lively rhythms."
Reporter Emma Wozniak can be reached at ewozniak@dispatch.com or @emma_wozniak_ on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: First major Goodale Park art project in years to bring 4 new sculptures
