A new addition to Saint John’s art collection was officially unveiled outside City Hall on Thursday.

The piece titled ‘Portal’ was one of eight pieces made during the final Sculpture Saint John Symposium.

Local artist Philip Savage, who created the piece, said he wanted to evoke a sense of curiosity and interactivity in the observer.

“This sculpture invites one to explore, to sit inside, crawl through, or to observe the surrounding city through an organic shaped window,” said Savage.

This was the second piece of art Savage created as part of Sculpture Saint John. His first piece titled ‘Pod’ is located at Rainbow Park in the south end.

Mayor Donna Reardon said public art like this adds a lot of vibrancy to the city.

“Art should be provocative in a way and it should get you thinking about things. What does it mean? What’s it mean to the artist? What is this?” said Reardon.

With several schools located in the south-central peninsula, Reardon said it also gives kids the opportunity to be exposed to public art.

Local artist Philip Savage (left) and Sculpture Saint John executive director Diana Alexander. Image: Brad Perry

A total of 38 sculptures were carved by artists from around the world since the symposium began in 2012. All pieces now make up the New Brunswick International Sculpture Trail, which runs from St. Stephen to Moncton.

Sculpture Saint John was modelled after a similar symposium that took place in the Schoodic region of Maine.

That event, which began in 2007, saw 34 sculptures placed along the Maine coast to make up the Maine Sculpture Trail.

“It’s over 890 kilometres of public art throughout Maine and New Brunswick,” said Diana Alexander, executive director of Sculpture Saint John.

While Sculpture Saint John has come to an end, Alexander said she hopes to see the event continue elsewhere.

“I’ve certainly had lots of interest from different communities. I can see it going somewhere else in New Brunswick in 2024,” she said.

The piece outside Saint John City Hall was sponsored by Uptown Saint John Inc.

Local artist Philip Savage speaks with reporters after his sculpture titled ‘Portal’ was officially unveiled outside of Saint John City Hall on Oct. 27, 2022. Image: Brad Perry