Stepping Forward Sculpture

“Bronze. That’s what Stepping Forward is made of.” This captivating sculpture stands before you. It’s part of the Olympic Sculpture Park a remarkable outdoor museum in Seattle. The park itself is a triumph. It transformed a former industrial site into a vibrant green space. This was no small feat. The land was once contaminated a brownfield. Yet through vision and a $30 million gift from Mary and Jon Shirley this space was reborn. Stepping Forward is one of the many incredible works of art within this park. The park opened in 2007. It’s a testament to the power of art to revitalize a community. Imagine the discussions that led to its creation. The initial idea was sparked by conversations between Virginia and Bagley Wright Mary and Jon Shirley and Mimi Gardner Gates. Their shared vision for monumental sculptures in a Seattle green space took flight. It even survived a helicopter crash in Mongolia. The story goes that Robert Measures Martha Wyckoff and Mimi Gardner Gates were stranded during a fly fishing trip. Their discussions there further solidified the park’s concept. The construction of the Olympic Sculpture Park itself was a massive undertaking. The transformation of 1000 feet of seawall alone cost $5.7 million. This wasn’t just about aesthetics. It also included creating a three-level underwater slope. This revitalizes the local ecosystem specifically aiding juvenile salmon. Stepping Forward sits proudly amongst these stunning works. It speaks to the transformative power of art and the vision of those who brought this park to life. This impressive sculpture stands as a reminder of Seattle’s dedication to art and nature. The Olympic Sculpture Park and Stepping Forward invite us to step forward into a brighter future.