Community Foundation taps award winning Oneida Nation sculptor to create public art installation in celebration of our community


May 19, 2022 – The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, in partnership with CODAworx, has commissioned Oneida Nation artist and Turtle Clan member Mark Fischer to create a public art installation for the Foundation’s new location at 400 S. Washington St., in downtown Green Bay. Fischer, a nationally renowned and award-winning sculptor, shares his mother’s Native American culture, stories, and love of nature symbolically through art. His work Among the Aspens will include three bronze and copper aspen tree interpretation ranging from 12 to 16 feet. They will serve as a striking focal point for the Foundation’s public plaza designed by local Landscape Architect Jeremy Kox.

“Just as aspen grow in harmonious family groups that talk to each other, they teach us the importance of unity, endurance, and communication,” said Fischer. “A group of aspens is considered a singular organism with an extensive root system, teaching us that we too are all interconnected.”

In celebration of our diverse, interconnected, and collaborative community, Fischer will incorporate interlocking branches representing generations of individuals supportive hands. In addition, each trunk will be adorned with raised bronze symbols representing the past, present, and future of our community.

“The commission of public art reflecting our community’s rich history and diverse perspectives has been a priority from day one of this project,” said Dennis Buehler, President and CEO, Greater Green Bay Community Foundation. “It has been an honor to work with an artist of Mark’s caliber. His new work is reflective of a community rooted in a rich history while challenging ourselves to grow more inclusive practices.”

The art piece will be installed and unveiled at the new Community Foundation location in early June.