Symbiosis – a granite sculpture – is being finished by artist Frank Swanson of Colorado. 

In 2019, the Marshalltown Public Art Committee took public comments on three different public art proposals, and ultimately selected Swanson’s Symbiosis. Once complete, the sculpture will be driven from Colorado to Iowa and take around three days to install.

Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper is excited to see the work. 

“This has been in the works for a while,” Tupper said. 

A committee was put together to find a way to symbolize how the police and fire departments work together. The selection committee received 29 responses from artists across the nation to the request for qualifications.

Swanson’s submission was chosen and its name “Symbiosis” recognizes the two organisms living and working together.

“We’ve been waiting since last fall for the project to be completed and we hope to have it installed this summer,” Tupper said. “I think it’s an exciting thing to have happen.”

The sculpture started as a single block of stone that is shaped into a triangle that represents the three-sided partnership. The stone is being cut into three interlocking pieces.

The city will release details about a possible virtual celebration and dedication in June.

“I think it’s going to be finishing touch to a nice community project,” Tupper said. 

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Contact Thomas Nelson at tnelson@timesrepublican.com