A stunning 8-foot SALUTE sculpture was unveiled today at the entrance to the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA, which is scheduled to open on Dec. 3 as the first Y in the country to house a Veterans Administration medical clinic.
Artist selected from national pool
Commissioned by the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis, the public art project was funded in part by a grant from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation and facilitated by the Indianapolis Arts Council. Sculptor Clay Enoch of the National Sculptor’s Guild was selected to create his piece among dozens of artist in a national competition in 2017.
This video and blog written by Enoch shares his insight on the project from initial concept to the year-long fabrication in his Colorado studio and installation at the Y. He, along with military dignitaries, veterans and YMCA leaders spoke at the ceremony to commemorate the piece.
A “SALUTE” to veterans
“I believe that this beautiful work of art is a wonderful way to honor our military veterans,” said Eric Ellsworth, president and CEO, YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. “This towering sculpture is a “SALUTE” to every veteran who walks into the OrthoIndy Foundation YMCA and a powerful reminder to civilians and YMCA guests of the sacrifices veterans have made for our country.”
Facts and features
- Veterans’ names can be added to the sculpture with a donation of $100 at YLovesVets.org.
- Five service men and women stand shoulder to shoulder, saluting each other, atop two 8-foot walls demonstrating the strength and camaraderie of all Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.
- Each will wear a sculpted hat to represent their branch of service – the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.
- An American flag and one from each branch encircles the display.
- Military veterans endorsed the concept for the piece.
- No other city in the U.S. maintains as many acres dedicated to honoring veterans. Indianapolis is second only to Washington, DC, in the number of war memorials.
[caption id="attachment_12062" align="alignright" width="500"]
Sculptor Clay Enoch with SALUTE[/caption]
New F-T position to add veterans programming
The YMCA offers many programs for veterans and military service men and women, including a 20 percent subsidy on Y membership, Yes to Vets Yoga, and diabetes prevention, among others. To develop more of these types of programs, the YMCA is seeking candidates to fill a new, full-time director of veterans and military services.
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