Northport Moves Forward With Levee Trail Improvements

Tuscaloosa AL

19 October, 2021

4:39 PM

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NORTHPORT, AL — Northport residents who enjoy walking or running the city's Levee Trail will soon see some practical and visually-pleasing new additions to the landscape. Click here to subscribe to our free Tuscaloosa Daily newsletter and breaking news alerts The Northport City Council on Monday unanimously voted to move forward on a partnership with University of Alabama sculpting professor Craig Wedderspoon and his students, who will be tasked with constructing benches and shade structures along the trail to provide functional pieces of community art. City Engineer Tera Tubbs said the approach was aligned with the city's existing cultural anesthetic, made possible by the Kentuck Arts Center. She also pointed out the lack of shade along the trail, which can be particularly brutal during summer months. Wedderspoon has been an instructor at The University of Alabama since 1999 and joined the full-time art faculty in 2000. His work has been included in group exhibitions at some of the most exclusive galleries in the world. According to his University of Alabama faculty bio, Wedderspoon was originally trained as a glass and crystal carver, but now specializes in metal and wood fabrication and works in a variety of scales for both indoor and outdoor, permanent and temporary installations and exhibitions. Among his expressed creative interests are projects geared towards community service and outreach in west Alabama. This includes a timeline commemorating the city of Tuscaloosa's history during its bicentennial, which is part of the sculptural complex co-created with Caleb O'Connor at Manderson Landing on the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa. Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at [email protected]