A Place of Permanence

On September 24, the Rye Town Park Commission and The Rye Arts Center celebrated the permanent installation of Damien Vera’s sculpture <Cope>in the park. It was installed there in the summer of 2016 as part of the Art Center’s Public Art Initiative, on loan for one year from The Art Students League of New York. It was intended to be a temporary installation, but there was a steady stream of positive feedback from park visitors who expressed hope it could stay.

With the support of art center donors, the Park Commission, and many champions in the community, funds were raised to purchase <Cope> and it now has a permanent home in the park. As part of the installation celebration, RAC Executive Director Meg Rodriguez dedicated the sculpture in honor of Dr. Gail Harrison Roman, who joined their board in 1989 and has contributed to the art center’s activities in innumerable ways.

Among many others present at the event were County Executive George Latimer, Rye’s own sculptor Bob Clyatt, who has been active in the center’s public art initiative, Bill Lawyer on behalf of Rye Town Park, and the sculptor.

Vera is a New York City born sculptor who received his bachelor’s degree from RPI, has been teaching at the Art Students’ League and The New School, and has shown in multiple venues on the East Coast.

Damien Vera, Meg Rodriguez, Gail Harrison Roman, and Bob Clyatt at the installation