New Sculpture to Grace Gallup Park - ‘Guardians of the Huron River’
The City of Ann Arbor is announcing the upcoming addition of “Guardians of the Huron River,” a new public art installation at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road. With installation scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 10, weather permitting, the 10-foot-tall corten steel sculpture will be located on the northwest bank of the Huron River near the newly completed pedestrian and vehicle bridge. The artwork was funded through the Gallup Park bridge project budget as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to integrating public art into civic projects.
In alignment with this vision, City of Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation followed a multistep approach to artist selection for the Gallup Park bridge project, which included seeking community feedback. Input received emphasized a desire for artwork that reflected themes of nature and the Huron River, and that would integrate well into the park’s natural setting. A national, open call for art then took place in 2024, and a committee ultimately selected the final design for its connection to the Huron River and natural environment, as well as its use of rustic materials that complements the bridge and park setting.
“Guardians of the Huron River” was designed and fabricated by Gavin and Kelley Brodin, the husband-and-wife team behind Formed For, a Los Angeles–based studio known for large-scale works that merge art, architecture and storytelling. The sculpture takes the form of an abstracted egret — long associated with patience, grace and the vitality of waterways. Rising in a continuous curve, the piece evokes the flowing movement of the river while framing the surrounding landscape. Both delicate and commanding, the work serves as a reminder of the fragile balance between human activity and the ecosystems that sustain life.
“This sculpture honors the natural beauty of the Huron River while offering visitors a new way to experience Gallup Park,” said Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Manager Josh Landefeld. “It’s an inspiring example of how public art can reflect our shared values while brining beauty and meaning to our park landscapes.”
The city partnered with the Ann Arbor Art Center (A2AC) as a key collaborator in artist selection and project coordination. A2AC works with public and private partners to enhance the vibrancy of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County through a wide range of public art installations. To date, A2AC has completed 42 public art projects and continues to expand its portfolio through creative community partnerships.
In addition to “Guardians of the Huron River,” A2AC and Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation have recently collaborated on two additional public art projects in 2025: “Ode to Huron” by Artist Tatum Lorway, the corten steel panel art installation in the new Barton-Bandemer Pedestrian Tunnel; and the vibrant, horizontally flowing, two-dimensional mural by Artist C. Stanley Creative painted throughout the various levels and pockets of downtown Ann Arbor’s Liberty Plaza, part of the Downtown Development Authority Elevate public art and placemaking program.
Notes Landefeld, “Together, these efforts not only pay homage to one of the city’s most cherished natural features but reflect a shared commitment to making Ann Arbor a city where art is woven into everyday life."
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Media Contact:
Hillary Hanzel, Landscape Architect Capital Project Manager, hhanzel@a2gov.org