Dedication Ceremony Scheduled for “Singing River” Sculpture at Mineral Springs Park

The City of Bradenton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will
host a dedication ceremony Wednesday, May 13, at 3 p.m. for Singing River, a new public art installation located at Manatee Mineral Springs Park, 1312 2nd Ave. E., along Riverwalk East.

Designed by artist Reinaldo Correa, the sculpture was selected through a competitive art process led by the City’s Public Art Advisory Board and approved by the CRA Board in 2023. The project was funded through the CRA.

Singing River creates a flowing canopy of color above a pedestrian path, inspired by the movement of the Manatee River. Constructed of galvanized steel and painted aluminum for durability in a coastal environment, the sculpture features wind-activated elements and integrated lighting designed to respond to surrounding conditions.

“Public art helps strengthen the identity of our redevelopment areas and creates spaces that people want to visit and experience,” said Kemp Schuessler, Chair of the Bradenton CRA Board. “Singing River adds another distinctive feature to Riverwalk East and the historic Old Manatee area.”

Jeff Burton, Executive Director of the Bradenton CRA, reflected on the river’s significance to the project.

“As Joe and Libby Warner chronicled in their book The Singing River, the Manatee River’s water is the living pulse of our history,” Burton said. “The Warners remind us that to listen to the river is to hear the voices of all who came before, joined in a single, flowing song. This public art physically and audibly represents that theme.”

“We are truly excited to see Singing River come full circle,” said artist Reinaldo Correa. “Working with Project One Studio, our goal was to create a piece that reflects the layered stories of the Manatee River and its flowing, folkloric spirit, while offering a place for the community to pause and connect with the site.”

The public Call for Artists launched in spring 2023 received 119 submissions. After
presentations and community input, the CRA Board unanimously approved Correa’s concept.

For more information, visit www.cityofbradenton.com/publicart