Downtown Lansing roundabout to receive marquee art sculpture

The four proposals: “#LoveLansing,” by M.L. Duffy, of Washington, D.C.; “Flame,” by New Mexico’s James Gabbert; “Star Born,” by Lansing’s David Such and Fred Hammond; and “Welcoming Hands,” by Minnesota’s Mark Horst, await public input as part of the Capital Region Community Foundation’s “Penny for Your Thoughts” campaign.

The public can submit their thoughts online on www.ourcommunity.org/leadership/pennyforyourthoughts until Oct. 31.

Here are the four finalists:

“Welcoming Hands,” by Mark Horst

“Welcoming Hands” is a creation with a wire frame look that brands Lansing as a friendly and accepting community.

“These hands are clearly making an opening, welcoming gesture and I wanted them to represent the warmth and hospitality of Lansing. I also think that any time you use steel in Michigan, you’re evoking the history of manufacturing.” — Horst

“Flame,” by James Gabbert

“Flame” consists of two circular rings joined together by a large metal flame. “The flame is held by two rings, which represent the two land masses of the state of Michigan: The Upper and Lower Peninsula. They’re separate, but close."— Gabbert

“Star Born,” by David Such and Fred Hammond

Star Born features a large star mounted on a similarly star-shaped base. Hammond said each of the five points of the star can be emblazoned with a different artistic theme generated by local input.

“Lansing is one of 50 state capitals, and that’s something the city should be proud of. Capital cities are denoted by stars on a lot of maps, digital and physical. That’s the main inspiration.” — Such “What sold me on the star, being on the more technical side, is that it’s the symbol for every single capital on the map.” — Hammond

“#LoveLansing,” by M.L. Duffy

“#LoveLansing” features interconnecting metal frames with a striking red finish on the inside of each piece. Duffy's hearts have appeared in several other U.S. cities.

“I had a group exhibition coming up, for which I had no piece, I was missing my wife and I had all these new digital methods of making interesting sculpture. I decided to try things out with a heart: A simple form that has a complex meaning.” — Duffy