The City of Altamonte Springs is proud to unveil Nurture, an impressive steel sculpture of a crane caring for her young. The new public art piece is a welcome addition to Cranes Roost Park, where it represents the indelible power of family, togetherness and belonging.
This installation is one of six Central Florida artworks funded by the I-4 Ultimate Art Endowment Program as part of the greater I-4 Ultimate Project. The Florida Department of Transportation and I-4 Mobility Partners formed a public-private partnership to develop the I-4 Ultimate Project, which aims to improve the function of the Interstate 4 highway and beautify the region. Altamonte Springs received $200,000 through the art program to fund a permanent public art piece that would visually enhance the I-4 corridor.
Artist Bio
With more than 25 years of professional experience, Mark Aeling is an internationally-known artist, master sculptor and craftsman. After earning his Master of Fine Arts in sculpture from Washington University in 1993, Mark founded MGA Sculpture Studio located in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Mark plays a pivotal role in fostering the arts locally. He is currently the board president of the St. Petersburg Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA), a not for profit arts organization. WADA’s mission is to build and sustain a vibrant arts community that supports the success of all artists.
Inspiration
In his artwork, Mark often finds inspiration in nature and integrates materials and engineering into his concepts. For this project, he used Cranes Roost Park as his muse. “A roost suggests a home, and home is about family to me,” Mark said. “That was the inspiration behind Nurture, a bird raising its young.”
This public art installation is more than a spectacle to admire in Cranes Roost Park. To Mark, art represents the soul of a community.
Fun Facts
- Composed of over 200 pieces of polished steel
- Weighs 10,000 pounds
- Stands 19 feet tall and 181/2 feet wide
