PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To accompany the historic opening of Wild Eagle, the country’s first steel wing coaster in March 2012, Dollywood theme park commissioned the country’s largest flying eagle steel sculpture which features a horizontal wing span equivalent to a four-story building.
Created by Canadian metal sculptor Kevin Stone, the one-of-a-kind three-dimensional sculpture weighs more than two tons and is made primarily of stainless and mild steel. It includes the individual creation and welding of thousands of intricate feathers.
“When we initially conceptualized the art piece, we wanted it stand as a sentinel to beckon would-be riders to Wild Eagle but also celebrate our Smoky Mountains heritage,” Dollywood’s Director of Construction and Development Brian Dudash said. “The sculpture is rugged and natural and certainly compliments its environment and the surrounding architecture.”
Stone worked for six months creating the sculpture in Metal Animation Studio in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Once ready for installation at Dollywood, the $250,000 sculpture will travel five days in a semi to its new home. Stone will travel to Tennessee to oversee the sculpture’s installation in mid-February.
The eagle’s head hovers more than two stories above the entrance to Dollywood’s Wild Eagle coaster in the park’s Wilderness Pass area. The eagle sculpture is symbolically posed with outstretched talons, ready to swoop down, and its keen eyes focused precisely on its prey. From tip to tip, its wingspan measures 48 feet.
Videos chronicling Stone’s work on the sculpture are available for viewing at www.dollywood2012.com.
“I’ve always had a fascination and appreciation for nature and the vast array of wildlife that inhabit these lands, in particular the bald eagles that migrate annually throughout British Columbia during mating season,” Stone said. “The bald eagle inspires me both artistically and spiritually. I wanted to capture this magnificent creature’s essence, both in its dominating role in nature, as well as the graceful and peaceful elegance the bald eagle displays in its natural environment.
“My sculptures are designed to attract attention, create emotion, invite contemplation and conversation, and add beauty and style to their environment,” Stone said. “Like Dollywood’s Wild Eagle coaster, this amazing statue is built to be enjoyed for many generations to come.”
Stone collaborated with Dollywood’s development team on the engineering of the statue. Stone has developed a reputation for producing exquisite, highly detailed, stainless and steel masterpieces for a growing international clientele. His clients range from individuals, corporations, municipalities, and other organizations. Using Stone's chosen medium of stainless steel, his sculptures are suitable for either indoor or outdoor display and serve as focal points in a variety of settings.
Dollywood’s Wild Eagle coaster opens March 24 to launch the park’s 27th operating season. Updates, including videos and photos, are available at www.DollywoodWildEagle.com.
Based in the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is a 150-acre family adventure park which operates nine months a year (late March through December) and offers more than 40 rides and attractions; award-winning live entertainment featuring country, bluegrass, gospel and mountain music; and a dozen crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. A family-friendly vacation destination, Dollywood also includes the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country, voted America’s “Must-See Waterpark.” Dollywood offers all-inclusive vacation planning with a variety of overnight lodging options. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com.
Media: Contact Dollywood Public Relations Manager Pete Owens at 865-428-9486, 865-755-7972 or by email at powens@dollywood.com for B-roll, photography and more information. Check the Dollywood Press Room at http://www.dollywood.com/dollywood-q10214-c1-Press_Room.aspx for updates and new images.
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