Council Accepts $25,000 Donation for Interactive Guitar Sculpture at Burlington Arboretum

The Burlington City Council on Aug. 19 approved acceptance of a public art donation for an interactive guitar sculpture to be installed in the children’s garden at the Burlington Arboretum.

Tony Laws, the city’s director of recreation and parks, introduced the project and identified artist Casey Lewis as the lead fabricator. Lewis described the sculpture as an aluminum, climbable piece with musical strings made from 2‑inch schedule 40 pipe; the overall height was given as about 12 feet 6 inches, with a climb platform at approximately 50 inches and another at roughly 5 feet 9 inches. Engineers designed three separate footings and fastening details to prevent tipping and to deter vandalism, Lewis said.

Representatives of New Leaf Society and Impact Alamance spoke in support. A representative for Impact Alamance said the organization will contribute $25,000 toward the installation and dedicated the piece in memory of John Curran, a former president and CEO of Alamance Regional Medical Center and a founding board member of Impact Alamance.

Council moved and seconded a motion to accept the donation; the motion carried on a voice vote. Council members expressed appreciation for the private funding and noted the sculpture will replace an existing water feature in the children's garden and that Parks & Rec staff will coordinate the installation.

No construction schedule or firm installation date was provided at the meeting; staff indicated the city has engaged an engineer to verify safety and footing requirements before installation.