Two New Sculptures

Cloud Bench and Rustle

Maine artist and Maine College of Art graduate Vivian Beer recently oversaw the installation of her two sculptures, Cloud Bench and Rustle, in Winslow Park near Baxter Boulevard. The two works were recently acquired by the Portland Public Art Committee for the city’s collection.

Cloud Bench, a flowing metal structure, will serve as an intimate seating area with a view of Back Cove. The two painted metal structures that make up the piece Rustle were designed to evoke a waving flag or the movement of the wind. In the fall of 2007, Cloud Bench and Rustle were featured in an alumni exhibit at the ICA at the Maine College of Art.

Vivian Beer, grew up in Ellsworth Maine and currently has several large-scale sculptural and functional works on display throughout New England and around the country, including a summer outdoor show at the Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth.

Cloud Bench and Rustle were selected through an open proposal process by a selection committee made up of local residents, artists, and business owners, as well as members of the Public Art Committee. The site was selected by the Public Art Committee when Milkweed Pod, a temporary sculpture in that location for several years, was blown down in a storm two years ago.

Various site work, stonework, and planting projects will be ongoing for the next month. The work should be completed over the summer and an opening event will be held in late summer or early fall.

"The Portland Public Art Committee would like to thank the City's Public Services Department and Landscape Architect Regina Leonard, who have worked together with artist Vivian Beer to install Portland's newest public art piece," stated Committee Chair Jack Soley.