Dancing for Joy, commissioned by TEMPOart

- Preble St, Portland, ME 04101

For those of us in Maine who appreciate the intersection of nature, community history, and contemporary art, the public sculpture Dancing for Joy (By the Will of the People) provides a spectacular and meaningful destination. Commissioned by the locally celebrated nonprofit TEMPOart, this monumental temporary installation has quickly become a beloved landmark in Portland. It represents much more than just a large-scale piece of art; it is a visual testament to the creativity, talent, and progressive spirit thriving within our Maine community. As a public work, it is freely accessible, inviting Mainers and visitors alike to engage with art in the beautiful, natural setting of the city.

The work itself, often referred to simply as the “Great Egret sculpture,” was created by the internationally renowned artistic duo known as The Myth Makers—Donna Dodson and Andy Moerlein. Their vision was to craft a piece that reflects the local environment while commemorating a significant moment in our state’s history. TEMPOart, the organization behind this and many other successful projects, is widely praised for its dedication to enriching Portland’s public spaces with temporary art that sparks dialogue and builds community, doing "wonderful work in Portland, Maine," as one local enthusiast shared.

Location and Accessibility

This striking sculpture is installed in one of Portland, Maine’s most popular and scenic locations, offering easy access for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The official location is near Preble St, though it is more specifically situated on the beautiful Back Cove Trail and Park.

The location information is: Preble St, Portland, ME 04101, USA. (Note: The installation site is specifically at the Back Cove Trail parking lot area.)

Being a public artwork situated along the Back Cove Trail, the location is inherently designed for community access and enjoyment. The trail itself is generally flat, well-maintained, and popular for walking and jogging, which inherently provides a high degree of physical accessibility for viewing the sculpture. As the piece is positioned in an open, public park space, there are no physical barriers to viewing the art. Visitors can approach it directly from the popular trail. While the precise accessibility features of the immediate Preble St area may vary, the Back Cove Trail environment typically ensures that this sculpture can be appreciated by people of all mobility levels enjoying the trail.

Services Offered

As a temporary public art installation, "Dancing for Joy" does not offer traditional commercial 'services,' but rather provides a rich range of public and cultural benefits to the community, which are facilitated by TEMPOart's commission and programming.

• Free Public Access: The sculpture is permanently viewable in a public space, making world-class art available to all Maine residents and visitors without charge.
• Community Meeting Place: The design of the sculpture, which is nearly 20 to 26 feet tall, is intended to serve as a meeting point and a landmark for the community enjoying the Back Cove Trail.
• Interactive Experience: The sculpture is specifically designed to be interactive, inviting people to "enter it and walk through it" and featuring various size doorways, encouraging children and adults to physically engage with the artwork.
• Cultural and Civic Education: The artwork serves as a catalyst for conversation about both local wildlife (the Great Egrets) and civic achievements, specifically its dedication to the "freedom to marry who you love," commemorating Maine's historic popular vote on marriage equality in 2012.
• Public Opening Events: TEMPOart hosts community events, such as the grand opening which featured local music and performances, to celebrate the installation and encourage public engagement, as experienced by local musicians Mai Kheet and Alejandro Graciano.
• Inspiring Local Art: The commission supports and showcases the work of internationally recognized artists, bringing high-caliber temporary art to Maine’s public spaces and inspiring local creatives.

Features / Highlights

The monumental scale and deep symbolism of "Dancing for Joy" make it a truly unique piece of public art in the Maine landscape. Its features are a direct reflection of its artistic and cultural mission.

• Monumental Scale: The sculpture features two towering Great Egrets, standing approximately 25 to 26 feet tall, making them a highly visible and iconic beacon along the Back Cove Trail.
• Symbolism of Love and Freedom: The piece is dedicated to the freedom to marry who you love, celebrating Maine’s historic role as the first state to legalize same-sex marriage through popular vote. The two egrets, which share all nesting and childcare duties, symbolize partnership, equality, and mutual support.
• Natural Inspiration and Materials: The artwork is inspired by the vibrant birdlife of Back Cove. The artists, The Myth Makers, utilized natural, sustainable materials, specifically bamboo, for the construction, highlighting a commitment to environmental consciousness.
• Interactive Design: The egret sculptures are designed with entryways of various sizes, inviting the public—including children—to walk through the display, making it a playful, hands-on experience rather than a static viewing piece.
• A Celebration of Nature: The egrets are captured in their flamboyant mating dance, an annual natural spectacle that the artists use to symbolize the vibrancy and dynamism of life in the Back Cove area and the importance of preserving local habitats.
• High Community Praise: The piece has been met with immediate and strong positive feedback from the local community, with attendees at the opening celebrating it as a "magnificent piece of art" and a testament to local creativity.

Contact Information

Since the sculpture itself is a public, open-air installation, there is no direct phone number or storefront. All inquiries regarding the commission, TEMPOart's mission, or details about the artwork should be directed to the commissioning organization.

Commissioning Organization: TEMPOart

Address (Sculpture Location): Preble St, Portland, ME 04101, USA (Located on the Back Cove Trail)

For contact with the organization, please search for TEMPOart’s official website for their current contact methods, including email or general inquiry phone numbers, as TEMPOart is a dynamic nonprofit focused on community outreach.

What is Worth Choosing

For Maine residents and visitors seeking a meaningful cultural experience, "Dancing for Joy (By the Will of the People)" is an essential stop. It is worth choosing because it embodies the best of what public art can be: visually stunning, deeply resonant with local nature, and fundamentally tied to community and civic pride. This is not simply a piece to observe from a distance; its interactive nature, with doorways for people to pass through, encourages playful and reflective engagement. The sheer scale and glittering silver-white color of the bamboo egrets make them a captivating sight, especially at sunset, and an excellent photo opportunity for anyone in the Portland area.

Furthermore, by supporting this TEMPOart-commissioned work, the community recognizes the value of local nonprofits who are "doing wonderful work" to transform our public spaces. The dedication to the 'will of the people' surrounding freedom and equality imbues the sculpture with profound local significance, making a visit a small act of appreciation for Maine's inclusive history. Whether you are walking the Back Cove Trail for exercise or specifically seeking out a powerful piece of art, "Dancing for Joy" stands as a magnificent, temporary beacon of creativity, nature, and Maine's enduring spirit.

Dancing for Joy, commissioned by TEMPOart

Preble St, Portland, ME 04101, USA