The Paramount Visual Arts Center partnered with local business Mahowald Financial Partners and the Central Minnesota Arts Board to create a sculpture in downtown St. Cloud. The 12-foot sculpture, designed by the Paramount’s Visual Arts Director Melissa Gohman, is a mosaic depiction of the Mississippi River in glass based on a painting by local artist Bela Petheo.

Mahowald Financial Partners contributed $10,000 for the creation of a Mahowald Plaza sculpture to be produced by the Paramount VAC. The CMAB awarded a Legacy Amendment grant for $5,000 to cover additional expenses.

The design was inspired by ancient water symbols and the eternity symbol. It refers to the complexity of the water cycle and eternal flow of the river. This sculpture is intended to be a reminder and a celebration of the unique geographic location of the St. Cloud on the Mississippi River.