Nest

“Nest” is a metaphor for Fern Hill Elementary, a safe haven where the young are nurtured & encouraged to discover, to question & to express themselves. The birds in flight represent the students’ personal growth, independence & boundless possibility. This timeless, cross-cultural piece engages both children & adults while reflecting the serene beauty of the school’s Heritage Hall.

Prior to designing this piece, the Art Committee gave specific suggestions regarding the feeling of “calm-excitement & playful-elegance” they wanted the artwork to elicit in the space.

Enhancing the public art experience & the scope of education, the students made drawings & paintings inspired by “Nest” as well as writing essays & poetry describing their feelings & ideas about the installation. These were presented orally & visually to their teachers, friends & parents at the Dedication.

The birds come to life with the finely drawn features & feathers etched into the steel. This treatment commands the viewer to look more closely at the sculpture that first catches their attention upon entering the classic expanse of the Heritage Hall. The spines on the leaves of the nest were sandblasted to enhance the appearance of undulation and dimension achieved by rolling the leaves prior to fabrication. The curvilinear contours add to the dynamic flow of this elegant bas-relief installation.