Eyes on the Prize

Eyes on the Prize SculptureEyes on the Prize aluminum sculpture by Bill FrymireTo invite creativity and imaginative play at Ardrossan Spray Park and Playground, I created an aluminum sculpture depicting native Albertan animal species, in grand proportion. A large dragonfly, hunting a mosquito above, creates a focal point and meeting location for the park. The piece offers large scale storytelling that is fun, while also educational regarding the importance of maintaining natural ecosystems. Predatory dragonflies are threatened around the world by loss of wetland habitat. Imagine if dragonflies were indeed 5 feet long with a 7-foot wingspan and could pick us up, fly away and eat us! That adventure is just one of the many imaginative ideas that visitors might contemplate while spending a day at the park.

Specific design elements include material and finishes that are durable and weather resistant: lightweight aluminum, stainless steel fasteners, perforated surfaces to reduce wind resistance and appropriate height placement to prevent climbing (approximately 11 feet vertical before branching out).

Continuing the hide and seek theme, 10 additional mosquitoes are hidden throughout the park to allow further interactive play and discovery.

initial concept sketch

initial concept sketch

dragonfly 3d

screengrab of 3D model for dragonfly body

Lay out for cutting aluminum body panels and acrylic windows

Lay out for cutting aluminum body panels and acrylic windows

acrylic pieces were cut and screwed on with stainless steel screws before baking and bending .

acrylic pieces were cut
and screwed on with stainless steel screws before baking and bending .

front of panel

Outside of body panel

section after heating and bending

section after heating and bending

assembling the dragonfly eyes

assembling the dragonfly eyes

one leaf assembled

one leaf assembled

Me with a finished leaf. You can see the dozens of stainless steel screws which are not visible from below

Me with a finished leaf. You can see the dozens of stainless steel screws which are not visible from below

The shot reminds me of a totem pole

The shot reminds me of a totem pole

After Welding the dragon fly to the stalk

After Welding the dragon fly to the stalk

Eyes on the Prize Fabrication

Fabrication showing translucent acrylic body panels on the dragonfly

All packed protected and ready to make the trip. I made a special aluminum bracket that would support the gate when it is down so that the sculpture would be protected

All packed protected and ready to make the trip. I made a special aluminum bracket that would support the gate down so that the sculpture would be protected

Installation with the help of Fred Nash from Art of the Move . "The "Dragonfly has landed"

Installation with the help of Fred Nash from Art of the Move . “The “Dragonfly has landed”

Base Bolted on with Custom Stainless steel nut covers by Fred Nash

Base Bolted on with Custom Stainless steel nut covers by Fred Nash

Eyes on the Prize Sculpture

Eyes on the Prize
Completion Date: May 6th, 2020
Dimensions: 20 ft. high x 7 ft. wide
Location: Ardrossan, AB
Public Art Budget: $43,200
Medium: Aluminum, Acrylic, Stainless SteelWeight: 300 lbs

I have added some annotated photos of the creative and fabrication process below:

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