Gatton Park Commissions New Black History Sculpture
Artist Kiptoo Tarus will create a stainless steel installation depicting the contributions of African Americans to Lexington.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in African-American
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Gatton Park has selected artist Kiptoo Tarus to design a new art installation titled Untold Stories: The Black Blueprints. The sculpture aims to honor the historic contributions of enslaved and free African Americans to the city of Lexington.
Why it matters
The project serves to highlight the overlooked influence of African American laborers and creators on the built environment of Lexington. By immortalizing these contributions in public space, the park seeks to educate the community on the city's complex history.
The sculpture is engineered from 5,000 pounds of stainless steel. It was chosen following a competitive process that attracted more than 100 global submissions.
The players
Kiptoo Tarus
Kiptoo Tarus is an artist who was chosen to design the Untold Stories: The Black Blueprints installation for Gatton Park.
Gatton Park
Gatton Park is a public space that serves as the site for the commissioned art installation in Lexington.
The details
Artist Kiptoo Tarus was selected through an international search to execute the ambitious design. The work will physically represent the legacy of Black residents who helped construct the city of Lexington.
Timeline
Spring 2027: The artwork is scheduled for official unveiling.
Culture Shift
The project reflects a broader societal movement to reclaim public spaces by highlighting the contributions of marginalized groups. It positions Gatton Park within a growing cohort of institutions dedicated to fostering inclusive historical narratives through modern art.
Residents can anticipate a new landmark and educational hub within Gatton Park upon the sculpture's completion. The installation will likely change how visitors interact with the park's history and perceive the city's built environment.
The takeaway
Public art installations often provide a physical bridge between historical records and the modern community experience. Residents interested in the evolution of local landmarks should look for public comment opportunities as the project nears its 2027 completion date.
Further reading
Discover more community history and cultural initiatives on our Lexington African-American page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wkyt.
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