Public art doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens when a community decides a shared space deserves something meaningful—something that invites reflection, conversation, and connection.
Balance of Becoming is a large-scale outdoor sculpture I designed specifically for the Ludlow River Walk. Standing roughly 10–12 feet tall and spanning 10–13 feet wide, the piece is built from reclaimed steel and composed of repeating circular forms that rise vertically and branch outward. At its core, the sculpture explores the tension between stability and growth—how structure allows expansion, and how change emerges from strong foundations.
Why This Sculpture, and Why Here
The River Walk is already a place of movement and gathering. People walk, bike, pause, and pass through. Balance of Becoming is meant to live within that rhythm—not as something you simply look at once, but as something you experience differently depending on where you stand.
From one angle, the sculpture feels ordered and grounded. From another, it opens outward, framing the landscape beyond it. The natural rusted patina adds warmth and texture, allowing the piece to evolve with time and weather, just like the community around it.
This work isn’t meant to dictate meaning. Some may see family and generations. Others may see music, motion, or possibility. That openness is intentional.
A Setback—and a New Opportunity
Earlier this year, I submitted Balance of Becoming for grant funding. While the proposal was not selected this cycle, the response from the community has been unexpectedly strong. After sharing the project publicly, a private donor reached out and offered to match contributions up to $5,000 to help make this sculpture a reality.
That moment changed the trajectory of the project.
Instead of ending here, Balance of Becoming now has a chance to become a truly community-backed piece of public art—funded not by a single institution, but by the people and businesses who believe Ludlow’s shared spaces matter.
Why Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding allows this sculpture to be shaped by collective support. Whether it’s a small contribution or a larger sponsorship, every dollar moves the project forward—and every dollar is doubled through the matching donor.
This approach also keeps the project rooted in transparency and local involvement. Contributors aren’t just funding a sculpture; they’re helping create a permanent landmark that belongs to everyone.
How You Can Help
There are several ways to support Balance of Becoming:
- Contribute to the crowdfunding campaign (any amount helps and is matched)
- Share the project with friends, neighbors, and local businesses
- Sponsor the sculpture as a business or organization
- Start a conversation about bringing more public art to Ludlow
If you’re a local business interested in sponsorship, visibility, or partnership opportunities, I’d love to talk.
Here is the link to make a donation!
https://hercworx.com/product/balance-of-becoming-crowdfunding/
Moving Forward
I’ve installed public sculptures across Massachusetts and Connecticut, and I know how much these projects can shape how people experience a place. Balance of Becoming was designed for Ludlow—with its history, its growth, and its sense of community in mind.
With your help, this sculpture can move from concept to reality.
Thank you for being part of that possibility.
—
Donald Longley
Hercworx
donald@hercworx.com
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