Oldsmar Public Art

'Taking Flight', an interactive sculpture, is located on the grassy area in front of the Oldsmar Council Chamber.

The City of Oldsmar issued a "Call to Artist" in 2019, seeking artists, architects, and design professionals to submit qualifications for creating and installing a permanent outdoor public art piece. The specifications stated that the work should be iconic, represent Oldsmar's uniqueness, and have an interactive pedestrian environment component. The intention was to capture and reflect the identity of the City while complementing the surrounding environment. Out of 40 submissions, a panel of six judges selected a local professional artist - Donald Gialanella.

"Taking Flight" is a pair of 12-foot tall wings made of stainless steel, fabricated to represent the natural environment's beauty. They symbolize Oldsmar's evolution from a rural area into a modern suburban town - one looking forward to the future. A significant feature of the sculpture is its interactivity. Visitors can "wear" the wings by standing in front of them while posing for pictures and share on social media with the hashtag #TakingFlight. The wings are supported from behind by two right-angle base supports, making it appear suspended. The base units, made of Corten steel, have Oldsmobile transmission gears, clutch rings, cogs, and levers added, paying tribute to Ransom Eli Olds, the founder of Oldsmar.