Pearl of the Wabash is a public art sculpture located in Tapawingo Park, created to celebrate and raise awareness about the Wabash River.
This project is the result of a three-year collaboration with the City of West Lafayette through a Public Artist in Residence program. Over that time, we engaged the community through public events and surveys to explore what elements were most meaningful to residents. One message came through loud and clear: the Wabash River holds a deep sense of connection and pride for the community.
As part of the design process, we partnered with the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation (WREC) and participated in hands-on activities that taught us about the vital role of water quality testing and the many species that contribute to a healthy river ecosystem. We were especially inspired by the Wabash Sampling Blitz, a network of volunteers that has collected water quality data from the river for over 13 years.
We chose the freshwater mussel as the sculpture’s symbolic centerpiece. Mussels are natural water filters—absorbing nutrients and helping to purify the water. Sadly, many mussel species native to the Wabash River are now endangered due to pollution, poaching, and their complex and delicate reproductive cycle.
The sculpture features three interlocking rings, each representing a point in time from the Wabash Sampling Blitz, beginning in 2012. Through color and form, visitors can discover patterns in temperature, seasonal changes, and other aspects of the river's evolving story. This interpretive color animation displays over 4,500 datapoints.
A project by Esteban Garcia Bravo
Designer: Yifan Fan
Fabrication/Engineering: PIKUS3D Inc. 3D Design by Matt Meyer
Architectural consultant: Maria Chavez
Install: Premier Services, Inc.
Electric: Best Electric
Date: April 2023- May 2025
Media: 3D printed concrete, LEDs, I/O Arduino board, sensors, Lucía boards
Location: Tapawingo Park, West Lafayette, IN
Dimensions: (w)10’ x (d)9’ x (h) 4’