ENTRY 05 – MGA Spotlight
Since I’ve mentioned working with Mark Aeling and MGA Sculpture Studio in previous entries, I thought it would be fitting to post a quick write-up about just that.
MGA has been located in the flourishing Warehouse Arts District of St.Petersburg since 2005 and continues to provide iconic and site-specific art in public and private spaces across the United States. The studio is a fully equipped sculptural fabrication facility. Specialties include cast and fabricated metals, glass, carved wood, cast fiberglass, plaster and cement. The expertise within extends through every aspect of sculpted art, from concept to installation.
I have had the pleasure of working at the studio with Mark and the team since the winter of 2014. In this time we’ve completed well over dozens of projects. They’ve included a breadth of work from figurative fiberglass casts to larger-than-life metal works of art. It has truly been and continues to be a remarkably rewarding experience.
Recently we completed two large commissions for the new police headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. The building’s lobby features “Shielded” – a 30-foot eagle’s wing hand crafted with 240 aluminum feathers and suspended above the glass-walled grand vestibule.
However, visitors to the headquarters will be greeted firstly by “Gladiolus” – an enormous stainless steel sculpture as a take on the legendary flower of the gladiator, a symbol of beauty and strength.
Looking Ahead
Next up for the studio is “RISE” – a monument in the Warehouse Arts District that will serve as a symbol of America’s resiliency and will be dedicated to 9/11 community heroes, first responders, and the events that happened that day. This multifaceted piece will feature at its center a large piece of steel recovered directly from the World Trade Center site. Behind it sits a 25′ tall copper phoenix wing. Fabrication is underway and we look forward to bringing this project to life! Visit https://risestpete.org/ for more information about the project and how you can help.
Feel free to stop by and visit the studio to take a look at what’s brewing, especially on the monthly 2nd Saturday Art Walks. There’s always something interesting going on and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be involved with MGA Sculpture Studio.
See you in the next post! You may get a sneak peek of what I’ve been working on in my own personal studio!
