BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — The Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC) revealed a new public sculpture in Bowling Green.

What You Need To Know

  • The Souther Kentucky Performing Arts Center unveiled a new sculpture

  • Artist Russ Faxon has been creating art for 50 years and wanted to use his work to give back to the community

  • The bronze sculpture he created is called "Dancing in the Spirit" and is supposed to represent the spirit that comes with creativity

  • The sculpture was created by welding 30 pieces together and the surface all replicated in bronze

Artist Russ Faxon has been creating art for 50 years. “The initial energy that you have in creating a piece of art, that’s where you get your joy and freedom from,” he shared.

But growing up in Bowling Green, he wanted to use his artwork as a way to give back to the community. And now, he has. 

“We wanted to have something that will evoke emotion, energy and make a statement,” he said.

And the statement has been made. After months of work, Faxon and Bowling Green officials unveiled a project right in front of the SKyPAC in downtown.

Faxon said, “This was done in about 30 pieces and then welded back together again, and the surface all replicated in bronze.”

The bronze sculpture is called “Dancing in the Spirit” and is supposed to represent the spirit that comes with creativity.

Faxon said, “It symbolizes what everybody has when we’re able to create, and we’re able to release that energy. So that we have a sense of dancing and freedom with our spirit and heart and soul.”

And for people living in Bowling Green, this statue is a metaphor for their city.

Joe Davis, a retired businessman in Bowling Green, said, “It’s an unbelievable prosperous town. It has an unbelievable future, and this artwork exemplifies what I see for the future of Bowling Green.”

But for Russ, it’s a good feeling knowing his project and dedication has awed many Kentuckians.

“It’s a relief that everybody like it,” Faxon said.

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