From the beginning, developers sought imaginative ways to weave a baseball theme into the development’s aesthetics. The sign design with the unusual bat and baseball features was the creation of Elizabeth Mabry and Caleb Kirkman. Local craftsman Shawn Charron, owner of Metalration Metal Fabricators and Clarksville Foundry, Inc. (CFI), became involved. To bring the vision to life, Charron designed oversized baseballs and bats. He created a CAD model of the ball and a wood pattern for the bat. He then approached Clarksville Foundry about the possibility of casting the items to be used in the themed signage. The project was assigned to CFI Engineering Manager Dillon Nottingham, who used the CAD model of the ball to design a 3D printed sand mold to cast the baseball in aluminum. The model for the sand mold was provided to Humtown Additive, who printed the molds used for casting the oversized balls. The finished product was stunning and included details that would not have been possible without the capabilities of 3D sand printing.  Once Clarksville Foundry completed the castings, Charron included them in the final fabrication of the unique signage.

These artistic installations now serve as striking signage throughout the development, an eye-catching and meaningful tribute to Lisenbee’s enduring legacy.

The Legend Behind the Name

Horace Milton “Hod” Lisenbee was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, on September 23, 1898. At age 12, he left school to help support his family, spending the next nine years laboring in the region’s tobacco fields. Despite the odds, Lisenbee never gave up on his dream of playing professional baseball.

After being turned down by several minor league teams, he finally secured a spot with the Brookhaven Truckers in Mississippi in 1924. His journey took him through teams in Memphis and Tupelo, and by 1927, he was pitching in the Major Leagues for the Washington Senators.

Lisenbee’s MLB pitching debut included a legendary moment. Facing the New York Yankees, he was ordered to “walk” Babe Ruth, but chose instead to challenge the “Sultan of Swat.” Remarkably, he struck Ruth out three times, leading the Senators to a memorable victory.

Lisenbee went on to pitch for the Boston Red Sox (1929–1932), Philadelphia Athletics (1936), and Cincinnati Reds (1945). Over his career, he played eight seasons in the Majors and nineteen in the Minors, a testament to his dedication and talent.

After retiring from professional baseball, Lisenbee returned home to Clarksville, where he co-owned and managed the Clarksville Colts from 1946 to 1948, eventually purchasing the team outright. However, financial difficulties and team performance struggles led him to sell the team later that year.

In 1998, the Clarksville City Council recognized Lisenbee’s contributions by renaming a portion of Dover Road (U.S. 79), near the Dover Crossing intersection, as the Hod Lisenbee Memorial Highway. The commemorative sign stands near the 800-acre farm where he spent his final years.

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The sculpture is the first public art piece in the newly opened Downtown Commons. Each individual casting of the sphere mimics the design of the First Presbyterian Church’s rose windows, which overlook the park. Clarksville Foundry reproduced the church’s bell tower windows in 2015 after the original wooden casings were showing significant signs of wear and tear.

The Collaboration

“Window to the World” illuminated at Downtown Commons. Clarksville Foundry completed the castings for this public art sculpture.

Several months ago, Clarksville Foundry President Charles Foust Jr. saw a sculpture by longtime friend and frequent collaborator Randall, an art professor at the State University of New York-Cortland. It sparked an idea to connect Downtown Commons to the historic architecture surrounding it. First, Randall created sketches and patterns for the piece. In turn, these patterns were then sent to Clarksville Foundry for casting. The resulting ductile iron sphere-shaped sculpture, with a diameter of 8 feet, features 92 individual castings.

“As a longtime supporter of Downtown Clarksville and a parishioner of First Presbyterian Church, I wanted to do something that not only united, but celebrated, these various institutions,” Foust said. “Public art at Downtown Commons was a must, and I knew Vaughn Randall would understand the vision. It’s been exciting to work with him and see the sculpture come together.”

Randall came to Clarksville, along with studio assistant Erin Schiano, to assemble the finished castings into the rust-colored sculpture in the days prior to the unveiling, April 18.

“Erin and I made (similar) 5-foot diameter ball prior to this piece,” Randall said. “I was looking at geometries and seeds … (and) what it is about humanity that makes us build things?”

Downtown Commons serves as a public gathering space equipped for concerts, outdoor festivals and family activities. Randall pointed out the Romanesque style of the First Presbyterian Church circular windows and the many parts it takes to make a whole – a sentiment that has applications in both religion and community life.

“This piece for me is more about the fact that this church appears to be the community center and impetus for this whole park,” Randall said.

The Foundry worked with Vaughn Randall previously to produce “Rosette Bobbin” sculpture, an 8,000-pound ductile iron masterpiece. Reminiscent of a wagon wheel with elements of a church rose window, a replica sits on a 5,000-pound limestone base on Clarksville Foundry’s front lawn. The original sculpture, which featured 26 individual castings from Clarksville Foundry, was installed in August 2006 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

It took roughly two days for Randall and Schiano to assemble the Downtown Commons sculpture, using a system of straps, jacks and levers as the pair methodically bolted together the individual castings.

“What I like about art – sculpture especially – is that every time I build a piece, it’s an adventure to try to figure out how to put it together,” Randall said.

The Naming

Two Rivers Company, a downtown revitalization organization, sponsored a sculpture naming contest. “Window to the World” was the name selected from a pool of more than 40 entries. Submitted by former Presbyterian pastor Robert Lueck, he cited the sculpture’s connection to the house of worship’s windows and what it symbolizes for the community at large.

“The church presence in downtown Clarksville is approaching two centuries, and it has both witnessed and participated in many of the community’s historic events,” said Two Rivers Company Executive Director Norman Quirion, during the name unveiling. “This sculpture embodies the outer vision needed to be responsive to a changing world.”

“Window to the World” was commissioned for Downtown Commons by the Montgomery County Commission and the Public Art Committee.

“This sculpture is a celebration of Downtown Commons and reflects a community coming together,” Foust said. “Supporting the arts has always been an interest of mine, and this piece is meaningful because it does serve as a window to Clarksville – reflecting a rich history and great vision to move forward. Clarksville Foundry has been a part of that history for more than 150 years, and we continue to find meaningful ways to support and enhance our community.”

The post Clarksville Foundry Casts Downtown Commons Sculpture appeared first on Clarksville Foundry.

Charlie Foust receives the Ovation Award on behalf of Clarksville Foundry from Austin Peay Center of Excellence for Creative Arts. CECA Director Janice Crews and CECA Board Member Kimberly Wiggins (right) present the Ovation Award in Business on April 8, during a ceremony at Austin Peay State University’s George and Sharon Mabry Concert Hall.

Clarksville Foundry produces more than industrial “widgets,” as President Charles Foust Jr. refers to the majority of the company’s casting work. In fact, the Foundry is a valuable resource for artists both near and far. From the “Rosette Bobbin” and “Window to the World” sculpted by Vaughn Randall, to “Patterns of Progress” by Tom Malone and others, these pieces blend iron casting and art.

“Most of what we do is just parts, just widgets,” Foust said. “Art – it’s got its own attraction.”

It is this appreciation and advancement of the arts that sets Clarksville Foundry apart from many other businesses. As such, Austin Peay State University’s Center for Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA) recently awarded the Foundry the 2018 Ovation Award for Business during a ceremony, April 8.

“The Foundry is a part of the historical fabric of Clarksville since 1847 and has made many cast metal works of art that you see around our beautiful city of Clarksville,” said Kimberly Wiggins, CECA Advisory Board member, and local small business owner.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Arts & Heritage Development Council submitted the Foundry for this prestigious honor because of Foust’s strong support of public art in the community. This support often manifests in different ways, ranging from a sculptor approaching Foust with a project or the Foundry president approaching an artist with an idea.

“From Tom Malone’s ‘Patterns of Progress’ wall sculpture that greets public library patrons, to the massive iron wheel that stands in front of the Foundry, to the 8-foot in diameter sphere that will enhance the Downtown Commons, the Foundry has added to Clarksville’s public art inventory in significant ways,” the nomination reads.

The ceremony recognized eight Ovation Award recipients and featured art and performances by musical, dance and theater groups.

“The art (casting) is just an interest that we have,” Foust said. “I’ve enjoyed working with artists here at the Foundry, because we’ve done that for a number of years. They bring a new perspective.”

Being named an Ovation Award winner is “a real honor,” Foust said. Not only for his family, but also for the Foundry employees, who work together to cast the components for many art pieces.

“Usually I have to deal with engineers and purchasing agents, and they’re normally pretty picky,” Foust said. “So dealing with an artist is a real pleasure. We appreciate the opportunity.”

Jim Diehr, recipient of the 2018 Ovation Award in the Category of Individual Artist, also frequently partners with Clarksville Foundry. Other distinguished artists working with the Foundry through the years include Miranda Herrick, Kit Reuther, Olen Bryant, Alan LeQuire and Mike Andrews, among others.

CECA’s mission is to support and provide opportunities within the creative arts for Austin Peay students, the Clarksville community and the greater middle Tennessee region. The Ovation Awards recognize the dedication of individuals and organizations to building and sustaining arts and culture in Montgomery County.

“The Ovation Awards recognize accomplished artists and organizations that make a difference in our community through the arts, but they’re also meant to inspire young artists to pursue their passion,” said CECA Director Dr. Janice Crews.

Click play below to view the CECA-produced video featuring more about Clarksville Foundry’s support for local arts.

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ABOUT THE SCULPTURE: The spherical sculpture is a collaboration between State University of New York College at Cortland professor and sculptor Vaughn Randall and Clarksville Foundry President Charles Foust, Jr. Vaughn Randall first worked with Clarksville Foundry several years ago when he needed help casting components for his piece “Rosette Bobbin,” which won the Samuel B. Barker Outdoor Sculpture Competition at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Clarksville Foundry will donate the castings for the 8 ft. in diameter ductile iron sculpture to be displayed at Downtown Commons. The yet unnamed sculpture will feature a natural rust finish and roughly 92 individual castings that mirror the design of the First Presbyterian Church bell tower windows. First Presbyterian Church is located directly across the street from Downtown Commons, and Clarksville Foundry worked with the church to reproduce their bell tower windows in 2015 after the original wooden casings were showing significant signs of wear and tear.

Downtown Commons Sculpture Rendering

GUIDELINES: Suggested names should relate to the sculpture design and/or Downtown Commons. Suggested names should be clean and profanity free. The sculpture name could be used in conversation and hashtag posts on social media. The sculpture name should be meaningful and memorable. Only serious names that relate to the sculpture will be considered.

NAME SUBMISSIONS: Suggested names should be submitted as Comments to the contest posting on the Two Rivers Company Facebook page. The Naming Contest post will be pinned to the top of the Two Rivers Company Facebook page. Name submissions posted to Facebook pages other than the Two Rivers Company Facebook page will not be considered. Submissions are limited to one suggested name per Facebook profile.

SUBMISSION LINK: https://www.facebook.com/TRCClarksvilleTN/

Submission must include the following:
a. Suggested Name
b. Supporting Information for the Suggested Name

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Noon on Thursday, March 29, 2018

PROCESS: The Safe, Clean, and Green committee of the Two Rivers Company will vet the name submissions and work with the sculpture artist to determine the winning name.

The winner will be notified through the Two Rivers Company Facebook page prior to the name being publicly announced.

Questions may be emailed or phoned to Deanna McLaughlin at deanna@tworiverscompany.com or 931-245-3700 ext. 12901.

The post TRC Hosts Naming Contest for Sculpture Cast at Foundry appeared first on Clarksville Foundry.

The segment produced by Daynnah Carmona features more about the history and day-to-day production process at the family-owned foundry.

Click the play button below to watch the segment.

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