New public art sculpture unveiled in Belle Isle Park

Members of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Belle Isle Conservancy, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and the Detroit Design Center celebrate the dedication of a new public art piece in the foundation’s honor.  Gathered are (left to right) Michele Hodges, president, Belle Isle Conservancy; Erik Nordin, artist, Detroit Design Center; J.J. Tighe, director of the Parks and Trails Initiative, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; Dave Egner, president and CEO, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation; Ron Olson, DNR chief of Parks and Recreation; Israel Nordin, artist, Detroit Design Center.

– Photos courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Work inspired by foundation’s support, created by Detroit artists

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory has a lot to celebrate. One of Belle Isle Park's most significant historic structures, the landmark reopened to the public this past June, and a new public art sculpture was officially dedicated in the conservatory gardens last Thursday.

This past winter and spring, the original 1904 trusses that supported the conservatory's dome were replaced with galvanized steel as part of a major renovation project.

At the Aug. 15 dedication event, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Belle Isle Conservancy thanked the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for their generous $1 million grant, which was the impetus for completing the first phase of the renovation project, and dedicated a newly installed public art sculpture in the foundation's honor.

The sculpture, created by Detroit Design Center co-owners and brothers Erik and Israel Nordin, incorporates a piece of the conservatory's original truss structure. The Detroit artists, inspired by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation's contribution to the park, donated the art piece to recognize the foundation's support of the Detroit community. Situated in the conservatory garden near the east entrance, the public art sculpture, named The Dancer, represents the heartfelt thanks extended to the foundation by the brothers on behalf of the citizens of Detroit.

"As Detroit artists, we're honored to have had the opportunity to create a sculpture that helps tell the story of the efforts to preserve this important Detroit landmark," said Erik and Israel Nordin. "We feel that utilizing part of the original historic truss in the art piece was the purest way to pay tribute to the genius and architecture of Albert Kahn. We are so thankful to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for making it possible to share the artifact and its story with everyone passionate about Belle Isle and its future."

The $2.5 million renovation project was funded by a $1 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Grant, with remaining funds sourced from DNR Parks and Recreation funds. The foundation has also supported other key park projects, such as the endowment for the Piet Oudolf Garden and Iron Belle Trail construction and trailhead.

The first phase of the renovation project included the replacement of the original 21-foot steel trusses that supported the conservatory's 65-foot upper dome. The next phase is to tackle critical structural repairs within the original steel trusses in the lower dome. The renovation project will also replace the dome's glass panels and provide improved ventilation to ensure the health of the conservatory's plant collection. Construction estimates are significant and will rely on partnerships to support this $10 million renovation project.

"With the installation of this public art piece, visitors to the conservatory's garden will be reminded of the conservatory's storied history and the many partners, businesses and community members that have contributed their talents and resources to help revitalize the island," said Ron Olson, DNR chief of Parks and Recreation. "On behalf of the DNR and the Belle Isle Conservancy, I would like to extend our thanks to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and Erik and Israel Nordin for their tremendous contribution to this Detroit landmark."

The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is one of the nation's oldest turn-of-the-century glass houses still in existence. The conservatory boasts 13 acres, a formal perennial garden, seasonal floral beds, a lily pond garden and five flora exhibits. The two buildings, designed by Albert Kahn, opened Aug. 18, 1904 and the conservatory was dedicated to Anna Scripps Whitcomb, who donated her 600-plant orchid collection to the city of Detroit, April 6, 1955.

Published: Wed, Aug 21, 2019