Local Artists Dedicate Wheels On Waterloo Sculpture

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Waterloo Artists Louis Ross and Jerry Schmidt dedicated their public sculpture "Wheels On Waterloo" to the residents of North Waterloo. The large steel sculpture was created as an Artist In Resident Grant from Community Partnership for Arts and Culture and Northeast Shores. It was partially funded by The Kresge Foundation, Ford Foundation and other NPO sources. Lou designed the monumental sculpture to depict the past, present and future of Waterloo Road.  5 Steel wheels are balanced on a large swelling Lake Erie wave.   The recent Streetscape Project unearthed ancient trolly train tracks that once ran down the center of the street.  A large train wheel depicts that era.  Residents traveled daily across what is now I-90 to factory and foundry jobs, symbolized by an arrangement of industrial gears.   A fan blade represents the new "green" windmills which can be seen on our skyline.  A 45 RPM record with its iconic center adaptor celebrates our identity as a music, vinyl record and entertainment destination.  Finally, a bicycle wheel complete with spokes and chain is for the residents and visitors who will enjoy our newly renovated Streetscape.

The work was created at Jerry Schmidt's Waterloo 7 studio.  Local students and neighbors were enlisted to cut, shape, weld, and grind the sculpture.  Many local businesses donated their services, time and materials for shaping, cutting and powder coat painting the heavy guage steel .  

Jerry and Lou have also designed a created a Giant Light Switch for promotional use along the Street and a series of aluminum kinetic wind banners,  soon to be installed on the new Streetscape lighting poles.   Both artists have studios and galleries on Waterloo where they work, teach and help celebrate our neighborhood's unique history and future success.