The City of Raleigh's Public Art & Design Board allocated funding for public art as a part of the Neuse River Park project. Local artist, Gabriel Eng-Goetz, was selected by a community artist selection panel. The artist is ready to present concept designs to the community for futher input. Please participate in the survey questions below:

Artist Concept Design Statement

After multiple site visits and many in-person + digital engagement sessions, the project theme became very clear: NATURE. The park’s setting along the Neuse River is the ideal backdrop to explore natural themes and with such rich biodiversity highlighted by park patrons and residents, I found it challenging to focus on just one story...so I chose to showcase several! These stories are told on 4 separate panels, each with its own cast of local characters set in different micro-habitats along the river. Each panel encourages interaction and invites viewers to move around the artwork to identify and learn about the native species that inhabit the park and surrounding areas. Inspired by stained glass church windows and Art Nouveau architecture, the artwork serves as a monument for an ancient source of life - the mighty Neuse River.

The artwork will be constructed of CNC Cut Steel Plates + Direct-Printed Acrylic Panels. The acrylic panels will be translucent allowing sunlight to pass through and cast color. Each plate will have feet that mount to a concrete slab or pier system. The direct-printed acrylic sheets will attach to the steel plates with a bolting system that allows for removal if repair/replacement is needed.