U.S. General Services Administration
GSA unveils newest Art in Architecture installment at Madawaska Land Port of Entry
BOSTON - The newest addition of the U.S. General Services Administration’s (GSA) Art in Architecture (AiA) Program, Stella, by Ralph Helmick Sculpture, has been installed at the new Madawaska, Maine Land Port of Entry.
The artwork - a five pointed star rooted in Acadian heritage stands 35 feet high and 17 feet across - can be seen from a distance by visitors when entering Madawaska, Maine, over the new international bridge onto Four Corners Crossing - the new street named by Madawaska residents through a GSA contest.
Stella can also be experienced up close with access from Main Street, Mill Street and Four Corners Park. At night, the artwork is illuminated offering those crossing through the new port a commanding view. At the same time, the artwork’s lighting design adheres to the International Dark Sky Association’s (IDA) Dark-Sky Compliance to ensure thoughtfulness to the surrounding community and environment.
The five-pointed star design is commonly found on barns and homes around Aroostook County and was depicted on Maine’s original state flag designed in 1901.
“The GSA Art in Architecture program brings local, state and federal entities together with artists to create unique pieces that highlight the vibrancy of the community and federal architecture,” Francis Thomas, Regional Administrator for the New England, Northeast and Caribbean Regions, said.
The GSA AiA Program oversees the commissioning of artworks for new federal facilities nationwide. Through the AiA program, GSA reserves one-half of one percent of the estimated construction cost of each new federal building to commission project artists. These artworks enhance the civic meaning of federal architecture and showcase the vibrancy of American visual arts. Together, the art and architecture of federal buildings create a lasting cultural legacy for the people of the United States.
About GSA:
GSA provides centralized procurement and shared services for the federal government, managing a nationwide real estate portfolio of nearly 370 million rentable square feet, overseeing about $87 billion in products and services via federal contracts, and delivering technology services that serve millions of people across dozens of federal agencies. GSA’s mission is to deliver the best customer experience and value in real estate, acquisition, and technology services to the government and the American people. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA.
