Spirit of Community
About the Sculptor - James Pedersen
Received his MFA from the University of Minnesota. He had a successful career teaching Art for over 35 years. He has been producing artwork since 1969 Working primarily in mild steel, stainless steel, copper, brass and glass to abstractly represent landscapes that add playful splashes of color texture and contrast to suit the subject and design.
About the Sculptore - Ryan Pedersen
Ryan Pedersen studied Fine Art and Landscape Architecture at Iowa State University and completed his Art degree from Minnesota State, Mankato and MED through the University of St. Marys.
Originally he worked as a helpful hand in his father’s studio, learning the process and developing a passion for creating sculptures. Over the years working together the relationship naturally developed into a productive partnership of more than 30 years. Today the collaboration continues to provide new opportunities and new ideas and designs.
Pedersen Metal
The Pedersen’s have created various sculptures ranging from small wall reliefs, table designs, functional work, and large outdoor sculptures, to very large commercial/private fabrications. They have exhibited their work throughout the MidWest region as well as several areas in Arizona participating in various competitions, exhibitions, and public displays.
Most recently they have been awarded best in show- Non Bronze in the 2020 Mankato Public Sculpture Walk. Both Ryan and James are members of the Minnesota Sculptors Society and continue to create and show work for private and public venues.
Sculpture Statement
- We are excited to have the opportunity to be part of the public Art Development Initiative hosted by the Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture Council.
- As a result of our collaborative passion for the Arts and this community’s commitment to honoring the development of Creative Placemaking we believe we can help showcase the relationship and balance between urban and environmental design which fits well with our approach to create unique and sustainable nature-inspired sculptural designs.
- We design with a minimal, yet sophisticated palette, playing with a variation of metals, and interpretations of pattern, texture, and form inspired by the natural world. These qualities of our work would highlight and represent signature elements of the various locations within the Delano Area. Using themes of developing distinctive character, creativity and activating cultural resources, we developed our concept to draw from these ideas and the existing landscape to create a distinct design to promote interest, pause, and the enjoyment of the newly renovated spaces.
- We believe our sculpture design can elevate these key attributes and showcase the identity of the Delano local area, as well as deepen a sense of unifying a connection to them as a whole to act as a visual landmark for this community. Through playful splashes of color, texture and symbolic form, our design is sure to spark the curiosity and wonder for visitors by supporting their exploration of the meandering trails and surrounding urban areas of interest.
- 'Spirit of Community' sculpture was inspired by following the layout and design of the existing urban, open space and waterways of the defining boundaries. Beginning with Hwy 12 on the top left to lower right, the meandering Crow River in the middle, and the interchange of developed and green spaces to balance. We envisioned the play of two large intersecting planes that use positive and negative space to illustrate the connection and role of Urban development, pedestrian trails, roadways, and the various parks.
- The vertical division of the form is created by following the meandering edges of the Crow River and horizontally by Hwy 12 and the Railway . The use of various materials and textures would be selected to spotlight the contrast between the urban and green spaces along the way. Contrasting surfaces for the roadways and the river would act as defining boundaries and the final connecting elements to unify the form.
- From this idea, the specifically designed sculpture can help engage and increase awareness for visitors as they investigate the various areas of the newly designed form. Through subtle abstraction and familiar imagery visitors should be able to deepen their connection with the spaces to strengthen the spirit of community in new and exciting ways.
- The Delano Area Council for Arts and Culture Council Initiative to promote and display artwork in public spaces is a great opportunity to elevate the connection between creativity, exploration and nature with all other aspects of life.
- It is an honor to be part of this project and support the collaborative efforts to visually expand and enhance the identity of the Delano Area by designing a creative place where artistry and community thrive.
This Permanent Installation in the Delano Sculpture Park is possible through the efforts and grants from: