Flora - Bronze Statue At Pittsburgh's Highland Park Garden Entry

The exquisite bronze statue "Flora" graces the Highland Park entry garden, where it greets residents and visitors alike.

About Flora

Created by the gifted Marlana Adele, the statue, Flora, is her tribute to the public art sector, a vision influenced by the assortment of historical sculptures that dot the landscape of the park. The statue's vivid art nouveau style and inherent nature-inspired elements are a nod to Marlana's previous works and the park's natural beauty. Strategically positioned in the garden, it is easily accessible, encouraging residents to experience its intricate design firsthand.

In April 2024, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey stated he believes that it's crucial to have art that mirrors the aesthetics of its environment and those who cherish our city parks. He further extols Flora as a remarkable addition by Marlana Vassar to the Art in the Park lineup, dedicating it to Highland Park. The Mayor emphasizes how crucial artists and their art forms are, interwoven in the tapestry of our communities.

Flora is a testament to a symbiotic collaboration between Marlana and community members, encapsulating their collective vision. The sculpture embodies a community-wide aspiration for artwork that mirrors the city's cultural diversity and openness to all.

Marlana's comprehension of Highland Park's history, paired with this collective vision, has birthed a masterpiece that mirrors both the emotions and the landscape of the park.

Marlana explains that her aim was to incorporate symbols of progress and possibility in Flora. The figure in the statue is envisioned as a being living in harmony with nature, rather than attempting to conquer it.

The Art in Parks program, benefactor of Flora, owes its funding to a RADical ImPAct Grant initiated to mark the Allegheny Regional Asset District's 25th anniversary. Marlana Adele Vassar, a Pittsburgh-based artist, seamlessly infuses her creations with an amalgamation of deeply personal narratives and rich cultural symbolism, evident in the artistry of Flora.