Now that it's there, the sculpture unveiled in the Gibson Street Park in Canandaigua seems such a perfect fit that it seems like it should have been there all along.
The more than 8-foot high "From Where We Land" sculpture was created by Finger Lakes Community College associate professor Barron Naegel, with assistance from Joshua Long
. His work was installed in the park last month, but kept under wraps until the big reveal Sept. 13.Naegel told the dozens of people gathered for the unveiling that he hopes his piece spurs on continued efforts by the Ontario County Arts Council to boost more public art and support for it in the community.
As for his "From Where We Land" work itself?
"Keep an eye out for it," said Naegel, who has taught ceramics,
drawing and sculpture at the college for more than 20 years. "Appreciate it."
Canandaigua City Council earlier in the year accepted the donation, which is added to an extensive public art collection spearheaded by the Ontario County Arts Council that includes the Haudenosaunee, or Seneca, Family Statue near Routes 5 and 20 and South Main Street in Canandaigua, several murals throughout the city and, most recently, the Ghost of Roseland sculpture on Canandaigua Lake.
Mayor Thomas Lyon's appreciation for Naegel's piece grew as he was able to admire its details and textures up close.
"The more you look at it, the more impressive it is," Lyon said.
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. He can be reached at mmurphy@messengerpostmedia.com. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New public art piece unveiled in Canandaigua park
