Artwork: Sculpture

In 1972, the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Wichita acquired downtown riverfront land from the federal Urban Renewal Agency and used it to create a civic green space. Bertoia’s sculpture, like the name of this new park, honors A. Price Woodard, who was the first African-American mayor of Wichita. It was installed on a circular concrete base and nearby a separate plaque on an additional concrete base was included, its inscription reading: “Sculpture by Harry Bertoia. This work of art is dedicated to A. Price Woodard. Mayor of Wichita, Attorney, Member of the Board of Education, and Humanitarian. A. Price Woodard was a friend of all and gave his community a free and open spirit.” Given the title “Interrupted Flight,” it was the last large-scale sculpture Bertoia made using the technique of fused-copper tubing and bronze welding rods. It remains in the downtown park, while the Wichita Art Museum owns the maquette.