Frame of Joy

Installed on May 1, 2025, Frame of Joy is an interactive public sculpture designed to invite pause, play, and shared experience within a community space. The work takes the form of a sunflower-inspired portal, translating a familiar organic structure into a durable steel installation intended for daily use.
Developed over four months, the sculpture evolved from initial sketches through fabrication into a permanent outdoor work. A circular opening at the center of the form encourages physical interaction—children pass through it, families gather for photographs, and visitors briefly occupy the work together. These moments of use are integral to the sculpture’s function.
Fabricated entirely by hand from 12-gauge steel, the piece was designed with close attention to durability, safety, and site constraints. The yellow and black surface treatment references both the sunflower’s visual language and the industrial materials and processes used in its construction.
Installed in Lyons Park, Frame of Joy operates as both object and occasion. Rather than commemorating a specific event, the sculpture frames everyday moments—brief, shared encounters that accumulate over time through repeated use.