The Huntersville Public art committee selected Wesley Clark to design and create multiple pedestrian-scale artworks that tell the story of the neighborhood and encourage visitors to visually explore the new recreational path around the grass practice football fields.
PROJECT SITE: Improvements to Huntersville Park were implemented in phases. Phase one included renovation of the playground with the addition of fitness equipment, new football goal posts, benches, and an additional picnic shelter. The second phase included resurfacing of the tennis courts, a walking path around the football field, a new park sign, and landscaping.
Wesley drew inspiration from the Olde Huntersville logo realizing a lantern icon had many faceted faces to support visual storytelling. Additionally, Wesley was happy to learn of the implied meaning of a lantern as a force for change, illuminating safe passage, guiding one forward, or helping to shine light to gain new perspective: all analogies important to consider while upholding the history of Huntersville.
Wesley’s project includes (4) 8′ tall, 4′ wide sculptures fabricated with welded steel and coated in a vibrant blue, marine-grade paint. The (4) sides of every sculpture, house digitally printed, colorful panels created using ceramic frit glass which will be lit via interior, solar-powered, LED lights.
Wesley created imagery based on 8 themes that uphold landmarks, societal values, and the Huntersville story:
The Attucks Theatre, The Plaza Hotel (Bonnie’s Place), The New Journal and Guide, The Front Porch (a tribute to the prevalence of large, inviting porches where Black families communed safely in a relaxing environment), The United Order of Tents (one of the oldest US Black Societies for Black women) and John T. West High School, Paths to Freedom and Church and Chapel Street.
