Contact: Chris Melville, [email protected]
Waterville Creates Opens Light Sentinels by Skunk Control, Public Art in Castonguay Square
WATERVILLE, Maine—Waterville Creates is pleased to announce the opening of a new temporary public art installation in Waterville’s Castonguay Square: Light Sentinels by Australian creative team Skunk Control, officially opening Friday, July 12.
The project consists of 10 towering (16–20 feet) kinetic flower-inspired sculptures. These sculptures captivate viewers by dynamically unfurling and closing their petals, projecting vibrant and continually evolving colored light shadows over the surrounding landscape. Skunk Control is the 2024 award recipient for Waterville Creates’ Call for Proposals (CFP) Temporary Public Art.
“We’re delighted to be working with Waterville Creates to engage the Waterville community with our kinetic Light Sentinels, making their U.S. debut,” said Australian artist Nick Athanasiou of Skunk Control. “We hope that the Light Sentinels provide the Waterville community with opportunities for delightful discovery.”
Light Sentinels will be on view in Castonguay Square in downtown Waterville beginning July 12 and remain in place through November. The project was initially slated to open June 7 but international shipping delays necessitated a month’s postponement, though Athanasiou did join Waterville Creates from Australia in June to lead a series of community programs, exploring, in his words, “the artistry, science, and wonder of nature and light,” delighting participants with mini-Light Sentinel construction and pyrotechnics.
After the delay, Waterville Creates is excited to finally share the Light Sentinels with the community. The new opening date corresponds with the kick-off of both the 27th Maine International Film Festival and the 2024 Waterville Rocks free concert series. Those queueing up at MIFF’s entry tent for access to screenings at the Maine Film Center or Waterville Opera House will enjoy a perfect vantage point for the Light Sentinels.
Visiting again from Australia, Athanasiou will join the Thursday, July 11 edition of the free, weekly Art in the Park program series in Castonguay Square 3–5pm, presented by Waterville Creates in partnership with the Waterville Public Library and Colby College Museum of Art. Athanasiou will guide participants in creating their own moth sculptures inspired by the Light Sentinels. Athanasiou will also be present in Castonguay Square Friday, July 12, to meet with visitors and speak about the project.
“This project underscores our commitment to introducing highly visible public art installations in downtown Waterville, designed to inspire joy, curiosity, and engagement from visitors of all ages,” said Marie Sugden, exhibition coordinator at Waterville Creates. “Working with Skunk Control has been an incredible experience, and we are delighted to unveil their stunning display of kinetic flower sculptures in Castonguay Square.”
This project is presented with major support from the Harold Alfond Foundation. Additional support provided by PRO Moving Service and the City of Waterville.
Learn more at watervillecreates.org/shows/light-sentinels.
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About Waterville Creates
The mission of Waterville Creates is arts experiences for all. Offering diverse programming for all ages, Waterville Creates is building a thriving, connected, and equitable community through shared experiences in the arts. For more information about Waterville Creates, visit watervillecreates.org.