Artist: Lisa Elias

Location: Higgins Greenway

Learn more about the artist

Learn more about Higgins Greenway and the overall project

Artist Statement 

The artistic elements I’ll be creating for the Higgins Greenway project- will feature an entrance and exit structure- with benches near the historic Hillcrest Cemetery.

The entrance and exit gateway elements will be arches installed on either side of the walking path off Harrison Avenue and Kildaire Farm Road. The art work will represent the flowering dogwood tree, arching overhead as visitors walk under the canopy on the path below. The arches will be incorporated and installed on top of brick columns. The arches will be forged and fabricated out of Corten steel, then waxed to maintain a deep rust appearance. The organic style of the arches will be thoughtful and meaningful to this historic site. I choose the dogwood tree not only for its symbolic meaning: life, rebirth, rejuvenation and joy, but also that the flowering dogwood is North Carolina’s state flower. The flowers will add depth overhead as you walk through the canopy, noticing the patterns created above.

Along with the gateway arches, functional benches will be installed near the two sites, complimenting one another. The seat of the benches will have a pattern built from a durable trek decking representing a dogwood leaf with forged dogwood flowers flowing above and below the seat. The benches will be a good resting spot to unwind, rest and take in the beauty.

- Lisa Elias