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Polk County Early College celebrated the completion of a public art installation developed through a creative partnership with acclaimed steel sculptor Bob Doster on Tuesday.

The installation represents the culmination of an artist-in-residence program that began last fall following Hurricane Helene.

During the residency, students participated in a Public Art and Design Challenge, working to envision and create artwork that would enhance campus spaces while communicating meaningful ideas. The project took on special significance as imagery of leaves and trees emerged as symbols of resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Doster introduced students to various examples of public artwork from his portfolio, expanding their understanding of artistic possibilities. Discussions centered on art as a medium for thinking, feeling, communicating, and expressing ideas. Students then identified areas across campus that could benefit from inspirational artwork and generated designs to transform these spaces.

The hands-on project connected students to multiple curricular areas, reinforcing learning across subjects. Students tackled authentic problems through divergent thinking approaches, all within a cooperative learning environment that encouraged risk-taking and exploration.

The artist-in-residence program was made possible through generous funding from the Don and Peggy Lyons Fund at The Polk County Community Foundation.