Stakeholders sought to reinforce the identity of this diverse, primarily African American community’s beloved lake park as the heartbeat of the neighborhood – a place for everyone to come together. They called for an installation that, “… protects the beauty of [the park] and recognizes its community’s heritage as a profound authority for the Como community.” This public art installation honors local community leaders, while expressing shared values expressed in the local paper’s masthead artwork and namesake of the project: “Do something GOOD for your Neighbor.” Inspired by the natural beauty and rich history of Lake Como Park, the concept of “the frame” brings focus and attention to the beauty of the park and conversely frames the beauty of a community that has built bonds to one another through shared values.
The installation, comprised of weathering steel plates and carved wood benches, offers visitors a place to sit, rest and contemplate in a neighborhood park. The installation invites visitors to gather and frames a gaze both outward and inward. The ‘gap’ in the frame bridged by the recognition of community leaders shines a light on work that’s been accomplished while also suggesting there is more to do. At the center are benches custom-carved from 100-year-old white oak. Key themes of community and harmony are highlighted in the engraved and cut steel panels, as written by the editor of the long-time local paper, “There should be a place where everyone can go…for after all, we are all human beings, all striving to live in peace and harmony together.” The structure is engraved with significant text excerpts from the newspaper’s archives and other historically relevant documents.
Selected words and phrases emphasize themes of community and identify significant historical community leaders. LED lighting enhances the welcome after dark.