Sprout
by Ben Pierce (Cape Girardeau, MO)
The Public Art League welcomes Sprout by Ben Pierce of Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Hessel Park in Champaign. The sculpture is located along the trail on the southwest side of the park.
Sprout stands 9' tall and is made from steel which has been powder coated. Of Sprout, the artist states: "Inspired by nature and growth of a young sprout, uncurling from its seed casing and stretching towards the sun."
Sprout is the newest of Ben Pierce's sculptures to be featured in the area. Until recently, another of Pierce's sculptures, Hole in My Heart, was installed in the northwest corner of Hessel Park. Keep It Together, by Pierce, was also installed along University Avenue in front of the Urbana Park District Headquarters. In addition, two of the artist's pieces have been purchased privately through the PAL program. Separated Together was purchased by the University of Illinois Research Park and, more recently, Triumph was purchased by M2 on Neil, LLC.
A big thanks to Barham Benefit Group for the site sponsorship for Sprout in Hessel Park. Also, a thanks goes out to the work of the Champaign Park District for the creation of the sculpture pad and for their help with the installation.
Sprout with Artist, Ben Pierce
