Angelique Fraley, an instructor for the ETSU Department of Art & Design, recently introduced her sculpture entitled “Quilted Owl.”
Fraley is an ETSU alumna, having achieved both her undergraduate and master’s degrees here, including her Master of Fine Arts in sculpture.
Her featured work, leased by the Johnson City Public Art Committee, currently sits in front of the Johnson City Public Library on West Millard Street and looks out over King Commons Park.
“I saw that they were looking for more sculptures to fill the park, and so I got busy,” said Fraley.
Her piece “Quilted Owl,” which stands six feet and ten inches above the ground, features a multicolored owl with stained glass detailing much of its face and body. The owl holds an important symbolism, as it represents wisdom and positive change. The colorful mosaic glass sections in the piece embody unity and community.
In creating “Quilted Owl,” Fraley took a block of foam and carved it down, completing the entire exhibit in about three months over the winter.
“I was really interested in making something that was for the city and that was also something that people would be interested in photographing and perhaps even putting it on their Instagram,” said Fraley.
Fraley is currently working on a series of stained glass, as she will be doing more park art in the coming months. She will also be working with the Washington County Animal Shelter on a large stone mosaic and various other foam pieces.
Fraley’s “Quilted Owl” is set to be on display until the summer of 2023. For directions to the exhibit, go to https://jcpublicart.com/public-art-map/.
