Two-story phoenix art installation to mark a decade since Irene
May 15, 2021 | By Jesse McDougallIf all goes as planned, downtown Waterbury will have a new two-story art installation this summer to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene.
An artist's rendering depicts how the phoenix artwork will adorn the brick building at 5 Stowe St. Courtesy Waterbury Arts
'Phoenix Rising' original artwork by Jessi Zawicki is the design for the art installation.
Fundraising is underway to pay to create and mount the “Phoenix Rising'' artwork on the exposed side of the historic brick building at 5 Stowe Street. Designed by former Waterbury resident and artist Jessi Zawicki, the colorful piece will measure about 22 feet tall by 21 feet high. Zawicki’s design was the winning entry in a 2019 contest for the project.
A new volunteer organization called Waterbury Arts has formed to promote public art in the community with the phoenix project its first endeavour. The group has launched an online fundraising campaign with a goal of $40,000 for the project and they say an anonymous donor has already contributed $10,000.
Whitney Aldrich is owner of Axel’s Frame Shop and Gallery and a member of Waterbury Arts. The phoenix piece will adorn the side of the building where Axel’s is located. The building is owned by Ken Squier of WDEV radio next door.
Aldrich called the image of the mythical bird rising from its ashes a meaningful symbol of the strength of the community seen after Irene as well as over the past year through the COVID-19 pandemic. “Waterbury has pulled together as a family through trying times and we want to capture that feeling in an art piece,” she said.
Aldrich has seen the project through the permitting process to navigate historic preservation requirements. To not alter the building itself, the phoenix will be printed on vinyl which will be adhered to aluminum. The metal panels will in turn be mounted to the building and anchored in masonry making it removable.
The next key step is fundraising. “We can’t guarantee the project unless we hit [the goal],” Aldrich said, adding that she’s optimistic for the finances to fall into place. “We have the permit and approvals for the project, and know that we can do it.”
The genesis of the phoenix project came from another piece of art created for Waterbury’s annual River of Light lantern parade in 2011. That December following the flood from Irene, local artist Mame McKee made a larger-than-life phoenix lantern symbolizing the town’s rebirth from the natural disaster. In that spirit, Aldrich said she hopes Zawicki’s phoenix will soon hang on Stowe Street, reminding passersby of Waterbury’s perseverance through adversity.
Fellow Waterbury Arts member Anne Imhoff said the project has the potential to boost community spirit. “As an art major, I learned the impact art can have on the collective conscience of a community,” Imhoff said. “A phoenix is an appropriate symbol for Waterbury because it represents renewal and offers hope and inspiration.”
Aldrich noted that the new public art installation aims to add flair to the scenery of downtown much like “The Waterbury Special” mounted in 2018 on the railroad bridge over Main Street near Waterbury’s roundabout. The well-received low-relief aluminum sculpture of a train of historic Waterbury buildings was created by Randolph sculptor Phil Godenschwager.
“Phoenix Rising shares the same purpose of using beauty to aesthetically differentiate Waterbury from other towns,” said Aldrich. “The phoenix is more abstract rather than a direct representation of Waterbury’s architecture, but being more imaginative allows people to think differently while still celebrating the history of our town.”
The town of Stowe has been making space for public art installations for many years, and the Waterbury Arts group aims to do the same in a cost-effective way. “The Waterbury Arts group has a backlog of project ideas, and we even encourage people to submit their own ideas to the website,” Aldrich said. “We want to give local artists exposure while bringing more art into Waterbury.”
Waterbury Arts has the backing of the Waterbury Area MakerSphere Cooperative acting as a fiscal agent. MakerSphere is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. More information is online at WaterburyArts.com and on the GoFundMe fundraiser site.
While organizers say any amount is greatly appreciated, donors of $500 or more to the phoenix project will have their name listed on a plaque at the installation. Waterbury Arts plans to unveil “Phoenix Rising” on Aug. 28 as part of a weekend community commemoration of the Irene anniversary.
The larger-than-life phoenix lantern from the 2011 River of Light lantern parade is inspiration for the anniversary art installation. Photo by Gordon Miller.