PERMANENT MEMORIAL DESIGN SELECTED Chicago artist's kinetic sculpture chosen from field of three finalists

Four pillars, echoing the piers of the Veterans' Glass City Skyway, provide the foundation for stainless steel elements that gently curve over 40 feet into the air. Within the curves are "kinetic elements", individual pieces that will move in even the slightest breeze.

This elegant sculpture, created by artist Evan Lewis from Chicago, has been selected by the Tribute Committee along with the Veterans' Glass City Skyway Task Force as a fitting way to recognize, honor and memorialize all of the people who have shared in building the new Skyway. The artist envisions the many kinetic elements, and the way they will be in almost constant motion, as a tribute to the tireless spirit of all those who labored to build the bridge.

The design was chosen from a field of three finalists by a selection subcommittee of the Tribute Committee, aided by input from a public meeting that included family members of the ironworkers who lost their lives. "We had great response from the community for the finalists' designs," said Marc Folk, executive director of the Arts Commission of Greater Toledo and a Tribute Committee member. "The majority of those attending the public meeting felt comfortable with all three. When our committee considered additional criteria including maintenance, total project cost and durability, Evan's emerged as the best option."

With the design selected, the Tribute Committee will now turn its attention to finalizing the memorial site on Front St. near Ravine Park and raising funds for construction, installation and dedication. Companies and individuals interested in donating should send checks to: TMACOG, P.O. Box 9508, Toledo, Ohio 43697-9508. Should donations exceed the cost of the memorial, the Arts Commission envisions adding public artwork in areas on the north end of the project.

More information on the Veterans' Glass City Skyway is available on the project's Web site at www.lookuptoledo.org or by calling the project Hot line at 419-244-7696.