The estate of late California artist Fletcher Benton has donated his abstract sculpture “Tilted Donut No. 7” to Lincoln. It will sit atop a perch in Trago Park, just east of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
A 5,500-pound, rust-like metal sculpture valued at $550,000 will soon greet Trago Park visitors, Antelope Valley Trail trekkers and drivers on Antelope Valley Parkway.
Private funds will pay for the delivery of the sculpture called "Tilted Donut No. 7 — Broken Line" by the late California artist Fletcher Benton, Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department Director Lynn Johnson said Thursday.
The piece features an open-holed form at its center and is made from Corten, a steel designed to form a rust-like appearance with exposure to weather, a news release said.
Benton died in San Francisco in June, and his estate donated the sculpture to Lincoln because of friendships the artist had with Lincoln businessman Robert Duncan and George Neubert, former director of the Sheldon Art Museum, a news release said.
From the 1960s through the 1980s, Benton was a university professor in California and then focused on abstract painting and making large metal sculptures late in his career, the release said.
His piece "Balanced/Unbalanced" sits southwest of Memorial Stadium on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.
The newest piece in the city's public art portfolio called Vancouver, British Columbia, home from 2009 to 2011.
"This monumental piece by a well-known artist is a wonderful addition to our city's growing collection of public art," Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said in the release, thanking Duncan and Neubert for their work to bring it here.
It will be installed on Trago Park's west edge and surrounded by mulch, Johnson told members of the parks department's advisory group Thursday.
Its new home will be just off the Antelope Valley Trail, which crests near there, and the piece will sit high enough to be visible to drivers on Antelope Valley Parkway, Johnson said.
Public Art Lincoln reviewed several locations in the city's public art master plan and chose Trago Park, which stretches from R to Vine Street in north Lincoln, because of its landscaping and visibility.
City parks employees will help assemble and then install the piece in the park later this month, he said.
A public event to celebrate the gifted work will be held later this fall.
10 most valuable pieces of public art in Lincoln
1. Ascent, Tower Square
Artist Jun Kaneko's glass tower, Ascent, lights up the Lincoln Community Foundation Tower Square at 13th and P streets. It is valued at $1,150,000.
2. Harvest, Pinnacle Bank Arena
"Harvest," which stands in front of Pinnacle Bank Arena at Canopy and R streets is valued at $1,022,000 and was paid for using money set aside for artwork during the arena's original planning. The artist is Michael Carpenter.
3. Standing Bear Sculpture, Centennial Mall
Sculptor Ben Victor (behind) watches as descendants of Chief Standing Bear help to unveil his sculpture on Centennial Mall. The sculpture is valued at $150,000.
4. Groundwater Colossus, Union Bank
Groundwater Colossus, the giant brick head by New York sculptor James Tyler, is made of more than 300 individually shaped bricks. It stands at Union Plaza and is valued at $125,000.
5. Buffalo, Pioneers Park
"Buffalo" by George Gaudet, stands at the east entrance of Pioneers Park off Coddington Avenue.
6. Iron Horse Legacy Mural, Haymarket
The Iron Horse Legacy Mural in Bill Harris Iron Horse Park by Jay Tschetter in the Haymarket is valued at $200,000. Another Tschetter's mural is on the F Street Community Center.
7. Mountain Monarch, Pioneers Park
Mountain Monarch, by Rich Haines, stands at the Pioneers Park north entrance, off West Van Dorn Street. The sculpture is one of two at Pioneers Park that make the top 10 most valuable list of public art in Lincoln.
8. Pitch, Roll & Yaw, Lincoln Airport
Pitch, Roll & Yaw, a sculpture by Lincoln artist Shannon Hansen, is lifted into place at the entrance to the Lincoln Airport in July 2015. The piece, in the shape of a giant paper airplane, is valued at $120,000.
9. Reflection, Salt Creek Roadway
The sculpture "Reflection," by Albert Paley, sits at Ninth Street and Salt Creek Parkway. The sculpture previously was on display in New York as part of the "Paley on Park Avenue" exhibition. It is valued at $100,000.
10. Palo Alto Sculpture, Rotary Strolling Garden
Sculptor and artist John Buck unveils his public art installation, "Palo Alto 1", during a dedication ceremony in May 2016 in the Rotary Strolling Garden, 27th Street and Capitol Parkway. The pieces is valued at $72,000.
Fletcher Benton.
Reach the writer at 402-473-2657 or rjohnson@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSRileyJohnson.
