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Public Art Vermilion offers a fish sculpture for Shoza Park, pledges maintenance funds
Summary
Public Art Vermilion proposed gifting a $30,000 sculpture ('the fish') to Shoza Park, with the group pledging a 10% maintenance reserve; council advanced the related resolution to a third reading for further review.
Public Art Vermilion presented a proposal on Dec. 8 to donate an original sculpture (working title: "the fish") by artist Virginia Kistler for installation at Shoza Park. Mary Lou Sesco, chair of Public Art Vermilion, said the group has raised roughly $30,000 for design and fabrication and will set aside 10% of the cost for upkeep and repairs.
The group described a multi-year community process involving the mayor's office, service and parks staff, the Community Foundation of Lorain County and stakeholders across neighborhoods. Sesco said the piece will be fabricated by Mercer Works of Kent and built from colorfast phenolic panels (Fundermax) with stainless-steel trim; it will be designed for durability and intended for interactive play by children. "We are committed to continuing the conversation about public art and structuring a vision to further create more opportunities," Sesco said.
Council asked about safety, fall surfacing and installation details; Sesco said the sculpture would sit on a below-grade concrete pad with appropriate surfacing and that stakeholders reviewed safety and durability plans. The resolution to accept the gift was moved to a third reading for formal adoption and final permitting considerations.
What happens next: the resolution will return for final council action and the city will review installation details with the building inspector and parks staff before spring 2026 installation.
