Sculpture Stage, Steel sculpture in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Portland, US
The Sculpture Stage is a steel structure in Tom McCall Waterfront Park that measures about 63 feet wide and nearly 12 feet tall, comprising six curved sections with horizontal line patterns. The work conceals the Ankeny pumping station beneath its form, integrating the artwork with existing urban infrastructure.
The artwork was created by Bruce West in 1976 and funded through the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, a public jobs program of that era. This project reflects how artistic initiatives in the 1970s drew support from government employment programs.
The work serves as both visual art and performance backdrop, merging creative expression with public gathering space. Visitors can experience how the structure supports outdoor cultural events while standing as an independent artwork.
The work stands at Southwest Ankeny and Southwest Naito Parkway, just south of the Burnside Bridge, making it easy to find when visiting the waterfront park. You can walk through the area at your own pace and combine a visit with other park attractions nearby.
The project brought together sculptor Bruce West, poet Tom Cullerton, artist Jeff Tolbert, and landscape architect Hugh Mitchell in an uncommon collaboration. This diverse team of four creative professionals shaped a more layered and integrated artistic vision than a single artist might have produced.
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