HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Construction began this week to erect a new sculpture on the lawn of Huntsville Hospital along Governors Drive. When completed, the sculpture will soar an impressive 21 feet tall and 25 feet wide, and will connect the Medical District with Arts Huntsville’s popular downtown Public Art Trail.
The sculpture has a story and imagery as compelling as Huntsville’s history. The piece, entitled Moon Gate, is the vision and creation of Huntsville artist Glenn Dasher. The King family commissioned the art in memory and recognition of the late Olin B. King, and gifted it to reside for public enjoyment at Huntsville Hospital. This special tribute combines the family’s love of art and their hospital in a unique way that will benefit the entire community and serve as a gateway into downtown Huntsville.
Mr. King, founder of SCI Systems, Inc., played an integral part in Huntsville’s transition to the space and technology industries, which are now such a vital part of its economic engine. Dasher worked to creatively build a piece that symbolizes the ingenuity and exploration of Huntsville, uniquely combining its past, present and future.
Dasher first began developing his idea for such a design more than 20 years ago. It started with the acquisition of limestone columns that were salvaged when the old Parkway City Mall was demolished in 2002.
“These wonderful columns reminded me of an old city. They became my starting point for telling the story about this remarkable place, its people, and the unique events that sent humans into space, to the Moon, and beyond,” Dasher shared. “This small Southern mill town became America’s gateway to outer space, and has never stopped evolving in its role as a leader in research, technology, and now the arts. In its quest for modernization, through all of its various manifestations, Huntsville has never lost its beauty, warmth, and Southern charm. It is like no other place I know of, and this sculpture is my effort to pay tribute to that.”
The columns combine with stainless steel in a breathtaking display that will provide a respite for Huntsville Hospital patients, families, employees, and the community at large.
“As I have worked on the piece, I’ve considered what people might think about what I have done — to have their imaginations piqued, to reflect, and to realize what a privilege it is to live in such an important place to humankind’s exploration of the cosmos,” Dasher said.
Huntsville Hospital’s story is yet another example of the power of this community and the vision that epitomizes Huntsville and Madison County. Huntsville Hospital was founded in 1895 as a community hospital, and has grown now to a health system serving the entire region of North Alabama. The King family have been longtime generous philanthropic partners of Huntsville Hospital and its Foundation, contributing to the hospital’s growth, services and care it now provides to more than 1.3 million people annually.
With the gift of this sculpture, Huntsville Hospital will now be part of Downtown Huntsville’s Public Art Trail. Additions such as this and the expansion of the Public Art Trail are goals for the City of Huntsville as part of its Public Art Master Plan.
“Public art enlivens our everyday spaces and provides an opportunity to interact with art as you go through your day, and Huntsville’s public art landscape has the capacity to grow exponentially with the generosity of donors like the King family and partners like Huntsville Hospital,” said Arts Huntsville Executive Director Allison Dillon-Jauken. “One of the goals of the Huntsville Public Art Master Plan is to infuse our public spaces with artwork that lifts the spirit and engages the mind, and Glenn Dasher’s artwork at Huntsville Hospital will provide that moment of beauty and engagement for patients, family members, and employees.”
The installation is expected to be completed this fall.
