Woodward Avenue's connection to cruising, drive-ins and other 50s-era pastimes are memorialized in a piece of public artwork that presents the roadway's cultural history in a modern medium.
The Woodward Royal Oak Tribute, a 30-foot-tall, solar-powered, glass and concrete sculpture, was made by Royal Oak artist and resident Kyle Evans.
The rounded, illuminated piece of art meets history meets marketing will stand at Woodward and 13 Mile and be unveiled this summer. It will be the third of a series of Tribute sculptures to go up along Woodward. The others are in Ferndale (pictured) and Pontiac.
The work was commissioned by the
Woodward Avenue Action Association, or WA3, as part of the federal America's Byways project. WA3, an economic and community development organization that works to improve the visual, functional and economic character of Woodward, a 27-mile long road with a distinct character.
WA3 works with the National Scenic Byway's program, which has ID'd 150 distinct American roadways as worthy of packaging that lets their stories be told to the world.
A Tribute costs $150,000, and $120,000 comes from an National Scenic Byway Grant. To receive that grant $30,000 must be raised locally as a match. A fundraiser is planned for this April 19 at the grand opening of the second location of Pizzeria Biga, this one in Royal Oak.
"The city of Royal Oak has a long and rich history with Woodward Avenue and as a community, we want to acknowledge that history in a permanent Tribute,” said Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison. “We are excited about the Tribute event which will allow us the opportunity to share our vision of the tribute with all who helped create and support it."
Source: Lori Ella Miller, Wooodward Avenue Action Association.
Writer: Kim North Shine
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