By Heather Graves
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Public Arts Commission (GBPAC) has installed a new sculpture in Green Bay as part of its Rotating Art Program (RAP).
The work of art, titled “Palm Tree,” was created by local artist David Windey, and resembles a palm tree.
“I chose a palm tree because I love vacationing in warm tropical beach destinations and by making one reminds me of the good times as I’m sure others will feel the same way,” Windey said.
The sculpture was created using rusted steel pipe slices individually welded and ground to give an authentic look.
The trunk is made of brass to look like the dead bark and the branches are made of stainless steel pipe and rods with stainless nails that hold 6,000 holographic reflectors that hang freely and sparkle with multiple colors.
“This is a piece that will catch a lot attention because you don’t see these trees here and the beautiful colors the leaves produce in the sunlight,” Windey said.
Windey has more than 30 years of metal fabrication experience.
RAP promotes beautifying the community, promoting cultural identity and encouraging artistic engagement by inviting sculpture artists to display their creations throughout the city.
Concrete pads have been installed throughout the city to serve as platforms for temporary sculptures.
Each piece will be on display for one year.
The GBPAC program provides financial assistance to chosen artists to help display and sell their sculptural work.
Artists are chosen on a case-by-case basis depending on overall project quality and display pad availability, organizers say.
Windey’s piece was selected for the program at the commission’s meeting in March.
For more information on Windey check out his website at windeymetalart.com.
“Palm Tree,” located near the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary at the intersection of Irwin Avenue and East Shore Drive, will be on display for the next year and is available for purchase.
Besides Windey’s piece, five other one-of-a-kind sculptures are currently on display.
They include:
• “8-Bit Rainbow” by Malachi Duffey located at North Fisk and Dousman Street.
• “Swept” by Kent Hutchison located at 12th Avenue and West Mason Street.
• “Greek Goddesses” by Kira Dampier located at Shawano Avenue and 12th Avenue.
• “Paired” by Rusty Wolfe located at North Oakland and West Walnut.
• “Criminal Color” by Beau Thomas located at Leicht Park.
The RAP program is supported in part by the Kohler Foundation, Inc. and the Green Bay Packers Foundation.
For more information about the Rotating Art Program, visit greenbaywi.gov/581/Rotating-Art-Program.com.