SkyLume Lands at John Hunt Park

If you’ve driven past Joe Davis Stadium recently, you’ve seen something new on the skyline. A 60-foot spiral of steel and aluminum, lit from within, rises over the John Hunt Park roundabout. SkyLume is officially home.

Arts Huntsville, in partnership with the City of Huntsville, dedicated the sculpture on May 13 during the Huntsville City Football Club home match. Designed by artist Adam Buente of Project One Studio in Indianapolis, Indiana, SkyLume is the latest and largest addition to the City of Huntsville’s public art collection.

But the story of how it got here started two years earlier.

In February 2024, Arts Huntsville launched an invitational process for a new monumental work at John Hunt Park. From a pool of nearly 100 qualified international candidates who had previously applied to public art projects in Huntsville, the Huntsville Public Art Committee selected five finalists. Each developed a full proposal. In November 2024, the committee selected Buente and Project One Studio for the commission.

The final selection panel included every member of the Huntsville Public Art Committee — Sally Allen, José Betancourt, Emily Bullard-McClellan, Anna Castellanos, Mike Donnelly, Marcia Freeland, Phoenix Robinson, Les Tillery, and Kim Ward — alongside John Hamilton, City Administrator; James Gossett, Director of Parks and Recreation; Dennis Madsen, Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning; and Allison Dillon-Jauken, Executive Director of Arts Huntsville.

For Gossett, the choice resonated for a reason specific to the site. “What really resonated with me is how the shape of the artwork almost suggests an Olympic torch,” he said. “As 20 Olympic sports are practiced in and around John Hunt Park, this sculpture seemed like the perfect choice.”

About the Sculpture

Standing 60 feet tall, SkyLume is composed of painted steel and aluminum, with kinetic components and integrated programmable lighting. A tall central ribbon form anchors the work, encircled by a spiraling secondary ribbon that suggests energy in motion.

By day, kinetic elements integrated into the structure respond to wind and sunlight. At night, dynamic lighting animates the form through pixel-like components that shift in color and pattern — transforming the sculpture from a reflective daytime landmark into a luminous nighttime presence. The work is designed to be seen from a distance as a wayfinding marker for John Hunt Park while also serving as a colorful addition to the landscape.

Conceptually, SkyLume draws subtle connections to Huntsville’s legacy of propulsion and lift without rendering those themes literally. The work gives a nod to the city’s aerospace identity expressed through movement, light, and scale.

“The sculpture explores themes of gravitational pull, community connection, and forward momentum,” Buente said. “The central ribbon symbolizes an unseen force that draws people in, while the encircling ribbon reflects the energy and movement of the community around it.”

A Landmark for John Hunt Park

For Arts Huntsville, the project marks a milestone. “The City’s investment in recreation facilities at John Hunt Park has made the area a go-to destination for local residents as well as regional and national sporting events. SkyLume gives the park a defining landmark that infuses the area with a sense of place unique to Huntsville,” said Dillon-Jauken. “This is the largest public art commission Arts Huntsville has managed for the City to date, reflecting the goals of the program and one of the many ways Huntsville stands out among peer cities.”

Mayor Tommy Battle echoed the sentiment at the dedication. “John Hunt Park is where our kids compete, where our families gather, and where Huntsville celebrates regional and national championship competitions. Now, a new landmark stands in front of Joe Davis Stadium that serves as a beacon for everything that happens here.”

SkyLume is a permanent installation, on view to the public at John Hunt Park year-round.

See Mayor Battle’s remarks as seen by the audience at Joe Davis Stadium before the dedication:

– submitted by Jennifer Moore, Director of Public Art