Ilsa Minor | Daily Press Irina Bruno, Bonifas Arts Center executive director, triumphantly raises a pair of scissors after cutting the ribbon Wednesday morning for the new “Art in Flight” community art project installed at the Escanaba Municipal Marina, as Gallery Director Kate Oman, left, and Special Events Coordinator Paula Jordan look on.

ESCANABA — Irina Bruno, Bonifas Arts Center executive director, cu the ribbon Wednesday morning for the new “Art in Flight” community art project installed at the Escanaba Municipal Marina. She was joined by Gallery Director Kate Oman, left, and Special Events Coordinator Paula Jordan.

The project, which was sponsored by an Art Bridges Grant, took almost a year to complete during the pandemic and aims to be a symbol for the community coming together and overcoming adversity through art. In addition to Jordan, who coordinated the project, and Oman, who laid out the metal sculpture, the project was supported by many in the community.

Those specially thanked Wednesday included Beth Peterson, who designed the project’s concept and sparrows; Escanaba Parks and Recreation Director Kim Peterson, for securing the installation site; Travis Godfrey and Precision Plus, for fabricating the birds; Bill Warn, for concrete slab work; Pro Arc, for supplying an cutting steel pieces for mounting the birds; Bichler Concrete, for supply rebar; Plaque Maker, for the dedication plaque; T&T Hardware, for paint and supplies; Bonifas Special Projects Coordinator Sue Roll for writing the Art Bridges Grant; and several community members who painted the birds. T

The Bonifas asks that anyone who takes photos of themselves with the sculpture and posts them to social media to use the hashtags #TheBonifasArtsCenter or #WhatWillYouDoAtTheBonifas.