Courtesy art This is a drawing by Anneliese Mathia of a featured sculpture.

Anticipation is building for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations and commemorations. The approaching 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence offers an opportunity to reflect on the people, places, history, and symbols that shape our nation’s identity and our shared experiences as communities across America. Here in Alpena, the Alpena Bi-Path stands as one meaningful part of that reflection.

The parallel celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Alpena Bi-Path provides an ideal opportunity to consider the sculptures and artifacts strategically placed along the pathway over the years. Among them is one particularly fitting tribute that connects local and national identity, cultural symbolism, and the natural world.

The eagle, America’s national bird, has long symbolized freedom, strength, courage, and independence. Soaring above rivers, forests, and shorelines, it reflects the beauty, independence, and resilience that define both the nation and the Alpena community. As a symbol of vision and perseverance, the eagle reminds us of the ideals that have united generations of Americans, both nationally and locally.

One of the most imposing sculptures along the Alpena Bi-Path is The Eagle, located at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. Designed by Tom Moran, the sculpture was constructed in 2000 and installed in 2009 at its current location on the Besser Museum campus as a patriotic tribute to America’s heritage and the majesty of its national bird.

Crafted from welded steel tube, steel plate, stainless steel, copper, and brass, The Eagle contains more than 1,500 individually hand-sanded feathers and required approximately 1,000 hours of labor to complete. Measuring 12 feet high, 12 feet wide, and 16 feet long, and weighing more than 6,000 pounds, the sculpture stands as both an artistic achievement and a civic landmark created by a local industrialist and artist. Its scale and craftsmanship make it one of the most recognizable public art installations along the Bi-Path.

As symbols of vision, perseverance, and continuity, birds of various species have become a recurring theme among the sculptures that now populate the Alpena Bi-Path. Beginning with Departure of the Great Blue Heron in 2017 and continuing through representations of the eagle, including the upcoming anniversary sculptures, these public art displays remind us of the ideals, histories, shared landscapes, and horizons that continue to connect generations across the nation, and right here locally in Alpena.

As June unfolds and summer arrives, the community looks forward to the growing number of Sestercentennial celebrations. The Alpena Sestercentennial Commission has established a framework that encourages community organizations to build upon their individual efforts for

greater collective impact. The celebration of the Alpena Bi-Path’s 50th Anniversary is one such effort, and residents are encouraged to watch for America 250 events throughout the coming year. Information about upcoming activities can be found at www.alpena.mi.us.

As part of these ongoing celebrations, two new sculptures will be dedicated on Wednesday, June 17, on the lawns of the Alpena County Courthouse and Alpena City Hall along the Bi-Path. Community members are invited to join in on this special occasion. Additional details are available at www.thunderbayarts.org.

These newest installations will bring the Art Vision Alpena series of the Thunder Bay Arts Council, Inc., full circle as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Alpena Sculptured Bikeway/ Walkway (Bi-Path) while approaching Independence Day during this historic season of remembrance and celebration.

The next installment of this series will highlight the two new sculptures being dedicated during this community-wide celebration.