Westfield & GANGGANG select artist for Underground Railroad art installation

Submitted by City of Westfield

The City of Westfield, in partnership with GANGGANG, has selected Indiana-based multidisciplinary artist Aaron S. Coleman to create a transformational public art installation that honors the city’s historical ties to the Underground Railroad and the Quaker families who helped guide enslaved people on their path to freedom.

900 North Studios is the fabrication partner that will bring Coleman’s vision to life.

The commissioned artwork, titled “Hold the Stars,” will be installed at The Grand on Main development located at the southeast corner of State Road 32 and Poplar Boulevard. The piece was selected through a competitive RFPQ process that prioritized historical resonance, artistic excellence, and community connection. The project represents a significant investment in public art, storytelling, and placemaking in Westfield.

“Hold the Stars” will serve as both a visual landmark and an immersive gathering space. The sculpture is designed as two monumental, cupped hands emerging from the ground, creating a partially enclosed environment where residents and visitors can sit, reflect, gather, and engage directly with the installation. Integrated seating and tactile surfaces encourage exploration and contemplation while creating a welcoming communal experience.

Inspired by Westfield’s role in the Underground Railroad, the artwork incorporates references to the Big Dipper constellation, historically used by freedom seekers to locate the North Star while traveling north toward liberation. Through symbolism, craftsmanship, and scale, Coleman’s design reflects themes of resilience, protection, care, and guidance – connecting the city’s past to its present and future.

Crafted from native white oak using traditional steam-bending techniques commonly associated with shipbuilding, the installation further ties together historical narratives and regional craftsmanship traditions. The work will also include an ADA-accessible circular base featuring an illuminated stainless steel star map highlighting the seven stars of the Big Dipper.

Coleman, born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Indianapolis, is nationally recognized for work spanning printmaking, sculpture, and installation. Influenced by hip hop, street art, and historical inquiry, his practice recontextualizes imagery and objects to explore historical memory, systemic power, and the contemporary black experience in America.

Coleman earned degrees from the Herron School of Art and Design and Northern Illinois University and currently serves as the Kenneth E. Tyler Endowed Chair in Printmaking at IU Indianapolis. Coleman has also been a featured artist at BUTTER, GANGGANG’S an all-black fine art fair that gives 100 percent of the proceeds back to the artist.

“Public art has the power to tell the stories that define a community, and this installation does exactly that,” Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said. “‘Hold the Stars’ will create a meaningful place for residents and visitors to gather, reflect, and connect with an important part of our history.”

The selection process included extensive consideration of how the artwork could thoughtfully honor Westfield’s unique historical identity while creating an engaging civic experience for generations to come. Community input and historical context played a central role throughout the process, ensuring the final installation reflects both local heritage and contemporary artistic vision.

“‘Hold the Stars’ is a beautiful opportunity for truth and history to come alive in masterful artistic expression. We could not be prouder of BUTTER Alum Aaron Coleman and his vision for this story. This site will become a cultural destination for public art seekers, tourists, and learners of all ages,” said Mali Simone Bacon and Alan Bacon in a joint statement. “Projects like this are critical for preservation, community memory, and insight into the future. The arts, history and culture are inextricable. We are proud to partner with the City of Westfield to uphold long-standing values of togetherness, sustainability and progress and appreciate their investment in the arts.”

Once installed, “Hold the Stars” is expected to become a defining cultural landmark for Westfield and a destination for residents and visitors alike, inviting reflection, education, and connection through public art.

Installation is anticipated in Summer 2027.