Client: City of Hagerstown

Location: Hagerstown, MD, United States

Completion date: 2018

Artwork budget: $150,000

Project Team

Artist

Vicki Scuri

Vicki Scuri SiteWorks

Artist

Alexandr Polzin

Public Art Agent

Rodney Tissue

City of Hagerstown, DPW

Industry Resource

Ray Crampton

Pro-Fabricators

Overview

Hagerstown gained the nickname, “Hub City,” as it continues to be a significant transportation hub. Major railroad systems like the Baltimore and Ohio and the historic Western Maryland Railway once converged at this site. The flowing pattern design recalls the passing of trains and the glint of light on water, suggested by the nearby destination, the Lower Lake in City Park. As one meanders through along the Trail, the Railroad Switch Fencing transforms the boundary, screening the Sculpture Garden while promoting a cultural narrative and sense of place.

Goals

The goals for this project include: providing a fence with symbolic patterning along the perimeter of the site, recalling the railroad history and use of this site as a hub for the Western Maryland Railway Depot, integrating the fence with the landscape and promote the park identity with the Cultural Trail, and screening the park from the adjacent electrical contractor yard located on the opposite side of the fence.

Process

The Artist worked closely with the Department of Public Works, the Arts Commission and the Stakeholders to create symbolic imagery capturing Hagerstown identity as a railroad hub. The Artist collaborated with the Department of Public Works on the fabrication and installation of this Artwork, working with a local fabricator. The project was implemented as a design-build, with engineering support and landscape installation provided by the City of Hagerstown.

Additional Information

This project was made possible by a generous donation from John Barr, the owner of Ellsworth Electric, whose company is adjacent to the site. Also, special thanks to the Hagerstown Department of Public Works, who installed this project, and to Hagerstown Parks Department who installed the landscape and maintains it.