With the redesign of Plymouth Boulevard in the rearview, the City of Plymouth is shifting the focus to new landscaping, signage and public art in Plymouth City Center – and seeks community input beginning July 1 about a collection of “animal parade” art sculptures slated for installation.
Designed to delight residents and visitors, and foster a community gathering space teeming with photo opportunities, the proposed “animal parade” is a series of four or five giant animal-shaped geometric steel figures slated for installation next summer at the entrance of the Hilde Performance Center.
A collection by artist Kirk Seese, the animal parade was selected and commissioned in partnership with the City of Plymouth Public Arts Committee and the Plymouth Arts Council. Each animal will be painted a bright color – purple, teal, orange, pink, yellow or grey – from the branding palette for Hello! Plymouth, the city’s destination marketing organization tasked with attracting visitors to Plymouth.
“We’re excited to see which animals the community selects and which styles are the favorites,” said Recreation Supervisor Alyssa Fram. “The artist could create animals that are more plain, or more whimsical – such as a bison in a tutu, a fox with a fiddle, a buck with a bowtie or a doe with ballet slippers.”
Meet the Artist, Give Feedback
Community members are invited to meet Seese, ask questions, give input on the proposed sculptures and cast a vote for which animals should be included in the final installation during the following events:
- Gathering Our Acorns: Public Art Community Workshop – 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 1 at the Plymouth Community Center, 14800 34th Ave. N. Attendees may also create paper sculpture acorns with Seese.
- Plymouth Farmers Market – 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 at Parkers Lake Playfield, 15500 County Road 6.
- Music in Plymouth – 5:30-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 2 at the Hilde Performance Center, 3500 Plymouth Blvd.
Community members may also share feedback and vote for animals online July 1-18 at plymouthmn.gov/citycenter.