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Public Art

Public art is a cultural resource and a source of community pride in Cary. Artworks have been commissioned throughout Downtown Cary Park.

Explore the different pieces of permanent public art in the Park below. In addition, there are often other rotating public artworks in different areas of the Park. Come for a visit and explore!

Light Passage

Created by Laura Haddad & Tom Drugan

Green Light

Created by Carolyn Braaksma

Sense of Place

Created by Matt McConnell

L’ile Folie

Created by Marc Fornes

Light Passage

Created by Laura Haddad & Tom Drugan

Light Passage is a public artwork that acts as an iconic beacon from afar and an immersive experience from within. Composed of four large rings, the sculpture wraps around an elevated walkway. At night, the interior faces of the rings are illuminated with dynamic color-changing light that varies over time. A matrix of pipes inspired by tree branches and bird nests fills the gaps between the rings, becoming densest at the pond overlook where prisms attached to some of the pipes glow with sunlight. Light Passage reflects sunlight outward during the day and projects electric light inward at night, creating a myriad of visual effects merging light, structure, and space.
Haddad Drugan LLC
Light Passage, 2023
Stainless steel, acrylic prisms, and an LED light system

Green Light

Created by Carolyn Braaksma

In 2017, artist Carolyn Braaksma created nearly 100 linear feet of coated, green steel panels for the first phase of the Downtown Cary Park. These panels were developed based on the concept of local plant life and native elements found in the Park. These railings provided an overlook facing north toward the future phases of the Park. Green Light now provides a beautiful place to enjoy views of the Park while celebrating its native heritage. Green Light was relocated during construction and will soon have a new home in the Park for visitors to enjoy.
Carolyn Braaksma
Green Light, 2017
Coated green steel

Sense of Place

Created by Matt McConnell

Four unique entry markers welcome visitors to the Park. Each marker contains detailed maps of the Cary neighborhoods making up each side of the square panels. The artist, Matt McConnell, based his creation on the “community connection” concept – distinctive of Cary’s history at a particular point in time and the mapping of neighborhoods in Cary. These markers were created in 2017 and marked the opening of the first phase of the Park.
Matt McConnell
Sense of Place, 2017
Stone, glass, steel, and concrete

L’ile Folie

Created by Marc Fornes

I’île Folie (2023) reflects upon the delightful and mysterious architectural follies of bygone eras. Nestled in the lush expanses of Downtown Cary Park, I’île Folie is nearly 25’ tall. The featherlight aluminum canopy attracts visitors to venture onto the constructed island and take in unseen vantages of the park from atop the water. Progressively assembled through a unified system of folded parts and riveted connectors, I’île Folie becomes a unique spatial experience where structural elements and architectural envelope are blended into a single self-supported shell.

Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANY
i’lie folie, 2023
Concrete island, lightweight aluminum canopy structure

Temporary Installations

We Are Wildflowers

Created by Jane Cheek

Inspired by the plant life of the Park, We Are Wildflowers celebrates seeds, growth, and symbiosis. Mirrored elements invite visitors to see themselves within the artwork and flower cutouts hand-painted by community members reflect the unique spirit of the town’s citizens. Artist Jane Cheek worked with park visitors to create this sculpture in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival and the many individuals who, together, make this community bloom.

 

A vibrant outdoor art installation featuring a circular, green faux-grass base decorated with orange paper flowers. Rising from the base are tall, green stem-like poles of varying heights adorned with smaller orange flowers. The tops of the stems are capped with alternating reflective silver spheres and glowing white globe lights. The installation is positioned on a paved stone walkway outdoors under bright sunlight, surrounded by trees and green foliage in the background.