Tower Time

Guidance Tower by David Sheldon

Asheville installation artist David Sheldon says he was “thrilled to be selected from a very competitive, nationwide pool of prospective sculptors” to create a piece for the 811/E911 Call Center in Roanoke, Virginia. The proposal for the front-entrance sculpture required a large piece that suggested themes of safety, communication, service, and care appropriate for a facility that handles countless emergency calls. Sheldon began fabricating the piece — which lights up at night for a beacon effect — in January, and installation was scheduled for mid March. But then the pandemic hit, and things took an ironic twist. The task became how to safely install “Guidance Tower,” itself a tribute to safety, while maintaining social distancing. With help from Sheldon’s son, Chris, assistant Daniel Beach, and numerous officials in Roanoke, including City Engineer Luke Pugh and Director of E911 Services Sonya Roman, “Guidance Tower” was installed in one day. “It was truly an honor to be able to complete this project during such a challenging time,” says Sheldon. The official dedication ceremony is scheduled for later in the year. 

Sheldon Studioworks, sculpture, drawing, and painting. www.davidquentinsheldon.com.

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