The sculptures are cement with ceramic details. (Image by: deb belt) Fremont Park in Midtown is now home to two colorful and richly detailed sculptures, which were recently installed as part of Sacramento’s Art in Public Places program. 

Created by local artist Stephanie Taylor, the sculptures chronicle the explorations of John C. Fremont and the flow of time and events between the 19th century and today. Shaped like giant vessels and embellished with intricate ceramic elements, the sculptures have been in the works since 2007 and were finished last summer. However, technicalities regarding placement delayed installation until this spring. 

The location of the vessels became a topic of intrigue and Fremont Park Neighborhood Association, CADA and the city parks department all collaborated on where and how to place the sculptures in the park between 15th and 16th and P and Q Streets.

“It was a collaborative process driven by a desire to create a place for people to gather,” said Shelly Willis, director of SMAC’s Art in Public Places program. “People were excited by the possibility of the art to transform the park.”

Ultimately, a desired raised performance area that would have been flanked by the sculptures was not feasible. The solution to place the vessels on small concrete pedestals toward the interior of the park is functional and puts the art clearly in public view.

Artist Stephanie Taylor has produced 17 murals and sculptures in Sacramento as well as some 350 works nationally and internationally, including several commissions for Disney. Her work includes the larger-than-life portrait of Jack London on the outside wall of Beers Books on S Street and the lively geometric mural on Iron Steaks restaurant on Broadway.

“It’s wonderful to see the vessels outside, bathed in blue sky and sunshine,” Taylor said.