FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – On Monday, Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker joined representatives of the Fort Wayne Public Art Commission and the Harvester Neighborhood to dedicate a new sculpture, created by Latin American artist Sasha Primo, in Rea Park, at the southwest corner of Raymond Avenue and Redwood Avenue.
The sculpture is named The Garner, which refers to the Middle English term meaning to harvest or gather grain or crops from a field.
The City released the following:
The project is part of Shout-Out: Fort Wayne, a Public Art Commission initiative that celebrates the histories and identities of Fort Wayne neighborhoods through public art. According to the artist, “The installation is composed of six ascending metal arches that reflect the neighborhood’s industrial identity while symbolizing collective growth toward the future. Its organic upward movement evokes a tree growing within the park, creating a bridge between industry and nature. Oriented toward the historic Harvester factory tower, the sculpture establishes a visual dialogue with this iconic building.”
“What a beautiful way to celebrate Harvester Neighborhood’s history and vibrancy,” said Mayor Tucker. “The City of Fort Wayne continues to put a priority on neighborhood investment, and the Shout Out Public Art Program goes beyond infrastructure like streets and sewers to help make neighborhoods more attractive and welcoming.”
The center of The Garner includes a circular table with a highly reflective surface that evokes a fountain, which references an underground stream that runs beneath the park. This central piece is covered with painted aluminum panels featuring the handprints of Harvester Neighborhood residents, which were gathered in October when the artist visited Fort Wayne. During his visit, Sasha Primo learned about the neighborhood’s values and vision for the future, as well as its industrial heritage as the home of International Harvester that closed in 1983.
“For me, this is a highly meaningful project: it is a very spatial and volumetric sculpture, complex in terms of design and engineering, and innovative in its use of materials. It is geometric and modular, deeply rooted in the history of this neighborhood, which takes its name from the former factory that closed nearly 50 years ago. The concept of the work engages with that past and its transition. It is half tree and half metal tower,” said Sasha Primo.
The Public Art Commission’s Shout Out Committee selected Sasha Primo to create the sculpture after releasing a request for proposals and receiving responses from artists all over the world. The committee balances hiring local artists with artists from other communities to curate a diverse and interesting mix of
art in Fort Wayne. Funding for the project comes from the Public Art Giveback Program, which receives contributions from developers working with the Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission.
Many organizations and individuals contributed to the successful installation of The Garner including:
The Fort Wayne Public Art Commission and Shout Out Committee for developing and implementing the Shout Out Program.
Nate Lefever, City of Fort Wayne staff to the Public Art Commission.
William Bryant-Rozier, contract employee responsible for day-to-day management of the Shout Out Program.
Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department, responsible for coordination of location in Rea Park.
Fort Wayne Public Works, responsible for installing the concrete pad for The Garner.
O’Neill Glass, for creation of the glass portions of the sculpture.
Cary Shafer, local artist, for providing lodging for Sasha Primo.
Fort Wayne Redevelopment Commission, for funding the Public Art Giveback Program.
The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division works to establish Fort Wayne as the Community of Choice for residents, visitors and businesses by growing the economy, strengthening neighborhoods and supporting housing options. Visit CityofFortWayne.in.gov/CD for more information.
About Sasha Primo: Born in Argentina and educated in painting and electronic arts, Sasha uses public space to give life to hyper-realistic murals as an invitation to explore distant lands and reflect on the rich tapestry of cultural diversity.
For the last 15 years, he has traveled throughout Latin America and the United States producing over 100 murals and placemaking projects in villages and cities like Asunción Ixtaltepec (Mexico), Santa Ana (Panamá), Toctiuco (Ecuador), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Mexico City (México), Oakland (California – US), Marshalltown (Iowa, US), Hoytsville (Utah – US), among others. Implementing a people-centered approach, he actively organized and participated in more than 70 workshops impacting 2,800 neighbors. Learn more: SashaPrimo.com
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