A public art piece contracted by OhioHealth for its new administrative office has been unveiled.
The sculpture, titled “Beacon,” was installed in mid-May on the campus of the new administrative office, off of North Broadway just east of Olentangy River Road.
Canneto Studios, who most recently designed a suspended, public art sculpture for The Castle in the Short North, designed the piece. The studio enlisted custom metal fabricator and industrial contractor DeFabCo to build the piece constructed of stainless steel and dichroic glass.
Canneto had been in contract with OhioHealth for nearly three years, with production on the piece lasting about a year. Stephen Canneto and artist collaborator Judith Spater were on OhioHealth’s campus as the sculpture neared completion, installed piece by piece via airlift.
At its tallest, the sculpture reaches 18 feet.
The piece is composed of seven elements: the flame, which draws from the Methodist Cross and flame logo; the multi-colored glass within each flame, symbolizing diversity; and five dancing figures representing various ages and genders that surrounding the flame. Surrounding the dancing figures will be a variety of foliage that will provide year-long color.
“The flame motif … represents OhioHealth’s Values and Pledge of Stewardship, Excellence and Integrity,” reads their artist narrative. “The flame’s multi-hued dichroic glass elements symbolize the diversity of talents and individuals in the OhioHealth family.”
“The main figure represents visionary leadership,” it continues. “Others, of varying age and gender, represent the diverse OhioHealth family and the communities it serves. The child’s figure, beckoning the viewers, represents the future.”
For more information on Canneto Studios, visit cannetostudios.com.