The final touches are being done to a new sculpture set for the Marshalltown Police Department/Fire Department building.

Amber Danielson, director of the Marshall County Arts and Culture Alliance, said the sculpture will be put in place in a couple weeks. The sculpture, titled “Symbiosis” is being created by Frank Swanson of Littleton, Colo. Swanson was selected to contribute a piece last fall.

The sculpture will feature three stone pieces ranging from 5 to 9 feet tall. The three pieces were carved from one stone and will fit together to form a triangle upon installation.

“This is extremely exciting for the Arts and Culture Alliance,” Danielson said. “This type of artwork and this medium is not something we have in Marshalltown. It’s an engaging piece. Chief Rierson and Chief Tupper are excited about the opportunity for the public to come interact with the piece.”

The three pieces of the sculpture and the “Symbiosis” title are meant to signify the mutually beneficial relationship between the community, police and fire crew.

Danielson expects the concrete foundation for the sculpture to be poured next week. Swanson will arrive the following week to oversee the placement of the art.

Danielson encourages the public to come watch the installation though a date has not been set.

The first two of 11 sidewalk safety murals have been completed at Franklin and Rogers Elementary Schools. The Alliance launched a project to create murals at each school in the community in response to the death of 8-year-old Christian Maxon, a student of Franklin Elementary who was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street after school in May, 2019.

The first mural was painted at Franklin Elementary. It features Maxon’s favorite color, blue, and a lightning bolt emblem in honor of his favorite superhero The Flash.

“He was obsessed with The Flash so we made sure we had a lightning bolt in that one,” Danielson said.

The Marshalltown School District, city and Maxon’s family partnered with the Alliance to develop the project to promote safety for students and pedestrians in school zones.

“Our goals for this project are to honor Christian and his family and increase safety and awareness,” Danielson said. “It’s an opportunity for the schools to provide education for students.”

Artist and calligrapher Lauren Gifford of Ames is designing and painting the murals which feature a vibrant array of colors and a 3-D design that reads “Look both ways.” She plans to complete a mural at Woodbury Elementary School before pausing for the winter.

“You want it to stick out and stop kids in their tracks and remind them of street safety,” Danielson said.

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Contact Joe Fisher at 641-753-6611 or jfisher@timesrepublican.com