HamilTEN: The City of Sculpture

Firefighter Memorial

American Cape: Sculpture of Alexander Hamilton, after which the city is named, was created by Kristen Visbal specially for Hamilton, and it was placed in October of 2004. The name of the sculpture is indicative of the 13-star American flag that drapes over the back of Alexander Hamilton. This piece is located in the median on High Street downtown. 

Complexity: Feltz, is located on Monument Street in the front yard of the Anthony Wayne Apartments. The piece depicts Feltz’ very own face draped with a cloth. Feltz is an Ohio native and attended University of Cincinnati. Complexity was dedicated to City of Sculpture in 2006.    

Helios Guardian:  located at the Cincinnati Zoo, Helios Guardian was created by Michael Bigger in 1969 as a tribute to the free spirit of all animals. When the zoo no longer had room for the sculpture, they donated it to the City of Sculpture. Helios Guardian resides in Hamilton now, off New London Road across from Potters Golf Course.  

Helios Guardian

Family of Man:  This grouping is particularly interesting because every piece is cut from the same steel plate, which is then put on display in the back. The piece as a whole signifies the cycle of existence, represented by the varying sized pieces. Family of Man is displayed off B Street near the High Street Bridge.  

Baroque Trajectory: Poast is made of steel and was originally placed in New York City in July 2001, only a few blocks from the Twin Towers. It was damaged by the 9/11 attack, but it ultimately survived and was restored by artists at our very own Pyramid Hill. The piece is currently on loan from the sculpture park and is on display in the Fitton Center forecourt. 

Hebe, Nymph of Streams and Brooks: fountain garnered citywide attention last year when it was struck by a vehicle and destroyed. Shortly after, a company in Alabama revealed that they could repair the sculpture. Soon, the Nymph of Streams and Brooks will return to Hamilton fully restored and stand tall once again at the corner of High St. and MLK Jr Blvd. 

When It Rains, It Pours: in Armistead Park off Main St, When It Rains, It Pours is most commonly known as the Raining Man. Sculpted by Miles Metzger, the piece features a man holding an umbrella with water pouring from the sides. Raining Man has called Armistead Park home since its placement in 2009. 

Hamilton Gateway: by Andrea Mykelbust and Staton G. Sears, the Hamilton Gateway, which stands at the front of the Government Services Center downtown, was the first in the collection. At its dedication, former-governor Taft proclaimed that Hamilton was to be the city of sculpture. That set the plans in motion for multiple families across town to begin donating sculptures to the city. The sculpture stands 66 feet tall, and the lines coming off the sculpture are symbolic of the water level of the Great Flood of 1913.  

Sherry Corbett Memorial

Sherry Corbett Memorial Sculpture: was placed in 2016 in memory of one of Hamilton’s most notable restoration activists. In a 20 year period, Sherry Corbett led the initiative to restore 17 properties into historic landmarks. In addition, she was a professor at Miami University, and founder of the Dayton Lane Historic District. The sculpture shows a bicyclist and a dog, with the front wheel of the bicycle acting as a wind vane.  

Firefighter Memorial: Danhires from Kent, this bronze piece shows a firefighter holding an infant. Located in Monument Park, this memorial was placed to honor those firefighters and EMS who lost their lives in the line of duty. The detailed sculpture was dedicated in 2001.