Thank you to our partners for believing in public art!
ABOARD:
A Sculpture Project at Main Street Beach.
Public Art Vermilion introduces Aboard, an interactive sculpture to our developing Main Street Park and Beach, located on the shores of Lake Erie and in the heart of downtown Vermilion.
The Artist Scott Goss, is an interdisciplinary artist from Shaker Heights with installations in Washington, DC, Peekskill, NY; and various locations in Ohio including Lakewood, Cleveland, Akron and Shaker Heights.
The Sculpture The sculpture is fabricated from COR-TEN steel, a durable, weathering steel frequently used in outdoor sculptures and valued for its distressed, antique appearance. It will take about a year for the steel to take on the weathered appearance that suggests time, the past and history. Additionally, the cedar bench seating will weather to a gray appearance. What you see today will look markedly different in the near future as it settles into the landscape, The sculpture will feature an audio narrative by a local historian, which visitors can access with a QR code that will talk about Vermilion’s ship building history.
The Meaning Art is interpreted and considered differently by all who see and experience. Some will see this as a tribute to history of schooner and shipbuilding that once thrived along the Vermilion River. Others might appreciate that it’s a space to sit and watch the lake activity. Everyone will have a unique interpretation and opinion.
Funding Aboard is funded in partnership with Shores & Islands Ohio, Main Street Vermilion, and Public Art Vermilion. (Public tax dollars did not fund public art.) Each organization understands that adding art to public spaces can do for a community, which includes engaging the community, create gathering places that promote our culture and history, provide educational opportunities that create dialogue and make people think, attract visitors and instill a sense of community pride.
Aboard Development Committee A committee of 27 members of the community, including artists, business owners, representatives from multiple offices of city government, school representatives and others either volunteered or were appointed. Each participated in numerous reviews of artists and proposals. Everyone’s opinions were considered and each had a vote to arrive at the commissioned sculpture, Aboard. Additionally, the sculpture received unanimous acceptance and support from City Council, the Vermilion Parks Board and Harbourtown Design and Review, significant stakeholders in the process. Engineering reports were submitted to ensure safety and inspections upon installation were conducted.
Public Art Vermilion Advisory Board Jacqui Adkins, Joe Burkart, Lauren Cieslak, Mary Deucher, Janet Hannaway, Shea Loper, Heidi Riddle, Susan Schauer, Christen Schneid, Tiffany Sekeres, Caroline Springer, Roger Skelley-Watts, Marilou Suszko, Chair, Janet Waggoner, Ben Yano, Debby Zanglin
Vermilion High School Student Advisors Rey Birdwell, Kylie Kruse
Vermilion Parks Board Representatives Bill Malin, Liz Elden
Vermilion Parks Department Marc Weisenberger
Historic Reference Representative Margaret Wakefield
Main Street Vermilion Representatives Kate Repola, Executive Director; Libby Williams
City of Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer
Harbourtown Design & Review Robbie Brown
Maintenance While a gift to the city, the maintenance of Aboard is the responsibility of Public Art Vermilion.