Art on the ART: Sturgeon Sculptures on the Appomattox River Trail
CultureWorks is proud to announce the completion of Phase I of the “Art on the ART” program in the Tri-Cities, which includes three life-size sculptures representing Atlantic Sturgeon.
The Art on the ART (Appomattox River Trail) project was first conceived by CultureWorks Tri-Cities Program Manager, Daniel Jones, as part of CultureWorks Tri-Cities Action Plan to create a public art installation to enhance community pride. Working with local artists, the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR), the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce, and Hopewell, Petersburg, and Colonial Heights Parks & Recreation departments, Jones coordinated the installation of the three life-size sturgeon sculptures. Each piece is made from scrap metal and recycled materials and strategically set at highly-trafficked access points along the Appomattox River Trail. The first sculpture, created by Hopewell native and artist, Kirk Thore, was installed at City Park in Hopewell in 2023 as part of the Hopewell Downtown Partnership’s ‘Paddle in Your Park’ event. Richmond artist, Keith Ramsey, installed a fourteen-foot sturgeon called ‘Augusta’ at Roslyn Landing Park in Colonial Heights, and Petersburg artist, Nancy Saunderson, installed another, ‘Zora’, at the University Boulevard Trailhead in Petersburg near Virginia State University.
The Atlantic Sturgeon is a culturally significant, prehistoric species of fish found in the James and Appomattox Rivers. Once practically extinct, the Atlantic Sturgeon is making a comeback as a species symbolizing the resurgence of the Tri-Cities area. The Appomattox River Trail, where these three pieces of public art are placed, is maintained and improving thanks to the efforts of FOLAR, an organization dedicated to conserving, protecting, and promoting the Appomattox River for all to enjoy Interpretive signage designed by Terry Ammons of Studio Ammons accompanies each artwork explaining the project along with bios of the artists. FOLAR staff and volunteers worked to create an interactive story map of the project, which can be accessed here.
Scott Garka, CultureWorks’ President, shared that “Seeing this first phase of the Art on the ART project installed in the Tri-Cities is a long-time dream come true. These creative and beautiful sculptures by amazing local artists spark the imagination, inspire storytelling, and build community pride among residents and visitors to the region.”
Phase II of Art on the ART is in the funding stages and will include three more sculptures. Reach out to Daniel Jones at daniel@richmondcultureworks.org for more information.