Kaleidoscope Grove Puts Different Perspectives into View
December 05, 2022
When Erie Arts & Culture was awarded a $250,000 Shaping Tomorrow grant in 2019, the nonprofit created and installed two sculptures — one in an East Erie neighborhood and West Erie neighborhood. Those sculptures were named Kaleidoscope Grove.
Kaleidoscope Grove is an interactive public art installation that encourages people to think about viewing their neighborhood and fellow community members with a different perspective. Each ADA accessible installation includes 24 functioning kaleidoscopes at different heights and axis points. Kaleidoscope Grove is featured at Nate Levy Park and Gridley Park and connects the two neighborhoods, which often feel miles apart due to the State Street divide.
Buffalo-based sculptor Shasti O'Leary Soudant designed Kaleidoscope Grove, which was fabricated in Erie County by CSI Industries. Through this initiative, Shasti worked with Erie-based pinata maker Esther Ortiz and taught her elements of sculptural design. “The feedback in the neighborhood has been most positive in connecting neighbors,” said Rachel Cacchione, director of Community Impact at the Foundation.